This year we've heard a lot about domestic abuse, femicides and the failure of the police and the courts to properly protect victims of domestic violence.
And we know that there is certainly training for police to respond more effectively to these situations.
But, the reality on the ground can be so different.
One 57 year old woman from the Toledo District who's totally fed up reached out to us. She's taken out multiple restraining orders and filed countless police reports but seen her 66 year old abuser and former common law return to harass her time after time. It's a violation of the court's protection order - but she says he simply gets detained, charged and then released on bail.
On Saturday he jumped into her yard, and broke her vehicle's windshield while she was away. And once again, by Monday he was out on bail. She told us via phone how frustrating it has been. She asked that we not user her name or picture:
Voice of:
"He did broke the windshield. I went, I reported it to the police and they charged him and thing, but somehow somebody paid for him and he's out again. So he doesn't even abide by the restraining order."
"The restraining order that I take out right now was done in March next year. And he told me if I go and take out a next restraining order, that he will kill me."
Jules Vasquez
"What is the nature of your relationship at this stage with this individual and why does he keep harassing you?"
Voice of:
"Well, sir, I don't know because I already told him that I don't want to be in another relationship. I just want to continue to live my life single like this, along with my children and my grandchildren."
"I don't have intention to live with nobody because from the time I live, I am living an abusive life. And I'm not going through that again. I don't know how long I got to live. So the little more life that I have, I want to enjoy it with my kids, children and my grandkids."
"I am not on man timing. That's what I tell him. But every time he go, oh, you have man, man, man, man. You understand? If I can't have you, nobody will have you."
Jules Vasquez
"So he won't leave you alone. And how many years have you been trying to separate from him?"
Voice of:
"23 years, sir. And I can't get over it. I am not in any more relationship, I want to be a free person. He already tell me, he will not left me in peace."
"I will say that the law has to do its job, sir, because what would I do. If I hurt him, I am going to jail. And I don't want to hurt him. Sir, in one way, I can't blame the police. No, it's the magistrate."
"I'm telling you, it's the magistrate. I vex sometimes because it's not, correct. But I can't do nothing neither. I have my grandchildren to live for, am taking care of them right now. And if I go do something wrong, who won't take care of them? Nobody."
Her alleged abuser was imprisoned once for fines he had not paid the court. But, as we understand it, he now continues to get bail because the court is unlikely to send a 66 year old to prison.
