[Viva] Fw: Criminalization of HIV case in Abbotsford.

Fri Aug 18 16:54:37 PDT 2017

Hello Shelly,

Thank you for the opportunity to address your question. I am one of the founding members of VIVA. I have been living with HIV since the accussed infected me in July of 2002. As he was apparently unaware of this HIV status, at the time, I am not a complainant in this case.

I hope this provides the clarity you are looking for.

Shannon

------ Original message------
From: shelly tognazzini
Date: Fri, Aug 18, 2017 4:46 PM
To: viva at lists.resist.ca;
Cc:
Subject:Re: [Viva] Criminalization of HIV case in Abbotsford.

Question? Is Shannon on the list serve for ViVA as a member or was she posting information as a HIV negative woman.  I feel a bit confused about her posting in hind sight. May be my tiny mind questioning itself.

On Aug 16, 2017 2:27 PM, "shelly tognazzini" <shetognazzini at gmail.com<mailto:shetognazzini at gmail.com>> wrote:
Dear Shannon,

I truly can imagine how confusing and terrifying this all must be, and has been. I can only say you have tremendous courage and strength to do what you have done, and have garnered support from the women in ViVA in heart, spirit and soul. I am honored to hear your story, and am moved beyond words by your honesty.  Thank you for sharing. I hope you are be surrounded by love and respect as you proceed on this challenging and critical journey.

Respectfully
Shelly Tognazzini

On Aug 16, 2017 2:14 PM, "Denise Wozniak" <deniseswozniak at gmail.com<mailto:deniseswozniak at gmail.com>> wrote:
Thank you for your amazing strength and courage in speaking out. I am extremely happy you have support from the man you deserve and who you love.

Abuse stems from believing you are all important and wanting to control others. It is terrible you had to suffer through this for so long and often we are all too silent and blame ourselves for it going on.  No more. We are not to blame for abusers' determination to submit us to their selfishness and meanness.

You have gone above and beyond because that is who you are. You have shown kindness when you must have been worried.

I am so proud to know you.

Denise

On Wed, Aug 16, 2017 at 11:51 AM, Bea Ranville <flobea6868 at gmail.com<mailto:flobea6868 at gmail.com>> wrote:
Creator Bless you and your family.  Know your supported and I need to ackowledge you strength and courage.

Love your sister,

Flo

On Aug 16, 2017 11:19 AM, "Shannon Olson" <mckee_law at msn.com<mailto:mckee_law at msn.com>> wrote:
I would like to start by thanking all of the people who have reach out with love and support. I am truly thankful.

As many of you are aware, I divorced the accused some time ago and am now remarried to an amazing, terrific man, who is supportive and treats me, and my daughters, with the love and respect we deserve.

Being in a tremendously abusive relationship for 15 years, with the accused, I have found it difficult, but necessary, to ensure the police are educated about HIV, and they understand the spirit of this law ought to be for people who are intentionally trying to infect others.

Nevertheless, the police have chosen to pursue this case because the accused has been charged with so many previous crimes, including weapons offences, and has got off on all of his previous charges. He has also filed an uncountable number of police complaints. Essentially, they want him on anything they can get him on.

Three women initially came forward with complaints that the accused did not disclose his HIV status before engaging in unprotected sex. Since the police issued the public media statement, and opened a tip line, many, many more women have come forward. The number of complainants has been increased to 13 and he was rearrested last Thursday. He is being held in custody after two adjournments of his bail hearing.

This has deeply affected my children, and my family. I feel very torn as I have felt the obligation to my brothers and sisters who live with HIV to ensure the police have been educated and the necessary advocacy organizations have been notified.

I have also felt it necessary to ensure the complainants have been supported because many of us know what it feels like to be in a situation where we face the fear of acquiring HIV and how deeply this knowledge of being exposed can affect our lives, regardless if the accused was undetectable or not.

I have worked with the police to ensure they were aware that women had the option to be tested in their communities, as the police were initially sending these women to VGH from Mission to be tested. I have also worked with the police to ensure the police are referring the women to some sort of support so they get accurate information about HIV.

What I can tell you is the accused has a criminology degree and was fully aware of the law, the criteria for a conviction, and the consequences. He even went to great lengths to research the subject. Yet, the accused chose to allegedly engage in unprotected sex with more than 13 women, several which have not been interested in filing a complaint at this point in time.

I have also gone to great lengths to ensure the advocacy groups have followed up to make sure the accused is getting his medications while in custody.

As there continues to be a no contact order in place since early 2016, the accused is not allowed to contact me or one of my daughters. Considering the history of abuse, and threats of violence, and attacks, which initiated this no contact order, I believe I have gone above and beyond my obligations and can do no more.

I am thankful there is now a media ban on this case to protect my daughters, myself, and my new husband, from the attention this has brought to our family.

At this point I am now focussing on nurturing and supporting my three daughters, and allowing myself to be nutured and supported ( which I am not good at). I need to remind myself and my daughters that this his the accused journey, and not ours.

I hope this clarifies the situation for many who are struggling and triggered, as a result.

Take very good care and much love to all.

Shannon

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