An advocate commends a provincial court judge for prohibiting a man with a history of intimate partner violence from entering two communities on Newfoundland’s west coast. However, the effectiveness of this measure remains uncertain. The sentencing decision by Judge Wayne Gorman, dated June 12, restricts a man identified as DM from entering Corner Brook or Mount Moriah as part of a probation order upon his release from prison. This banishment is in addition to a 12-month prison term and a three-year probation period.
DM pleaded guilty to various offenses, including criminal harassment, uttering threats, and two violations of a release order prohibiting contact with his former partner. Judge Gorman acknowledged the contentious history of banishment but deemed it necessary in this case due to the severity and persistence of the offender’s actions. Gorman expressed concerns that DM might disregard the no-contact order under probation and pose a danger to his ex-partner.
Paula Sheppard, the executive director of the Corner Brook Status of Women Council, characterized Gorman’s decision as “interesting.” She highlighted the judicial system’s frustration in handling repeated breaches that jeopardize safety. Sheppard sees the banishment of DM as a potential deterrent against future acts of violence, shifting the responsibility to the community to report sightings of the individual.
While the outcome’s impact on the woman’s safety remains uncertain, Sheppard hopes that DM complies with the court’s conditions. She emphasized that breaches of no-contact orders are common and often undermine victim safety in cases of intimate partner violence. Sheppard noted that power dynamics and control persist in violent relationships, manifesting through various forms of communication and threats.
In DM’s case, Sheppard noted multiple breaches of court orders over an extended period, leading to the judicial system’s decisive action. The Newfoundland and Labrador government recently declared gender-based violence as an epidemic and established a task force comprising government officials and community advocates to address the issue. Sheppard welcomed the task force’s formation, expressing hope that survivors’ voices would be heard.