On June 3 the Coroner’s Office released details of the scope of the inquest into the deaths of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam. Ms. Culleton, 66; Ms. Kuzyk, 36; and Ms. Warmerdam, 48, were killed on September 22, 2015, in the Renfrew County area, by a man who was known to them. The inquest will commence at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 6, 2022, at the Best Western Pembroke Inn and Conference Centre, 1 International Dr., Pembroke.
The release advises that the inquest will “explore the circumstances of their deaths, focusing on the dynamics of gender-based intimate partner violence and femicide in rural communities.” It will also consider several important public policy issues directed at preventing future deaths and protecting victims of intimate partner violence in rural communities.
Scope
The full scope has been itemized as follows:
1. The risk factors for intimate partner violence and femicide in rural communities.
2. Challenges that victims face reporting violence and accessing protective and supportive services.
3. The role of firearms in rural femicides and the perpetrator’s access to firearms in this case.
4. The perpetrator’s history of violence, previous interactions with the justice system, risk factors, signs of escalating risk, and missed intervention opportunities.
5. Police and justice system policies and practices relevant to intimate partner violence generally and specifically to the victims and perpetrator in this case.
6. Barriers to safety planning including connectivity for electronic monitoring, notifications to victims when a perpetrator is at large, protocols for first responders, enforcing protective orders, and self-protection efforts by victims.
7. Community awareness and attitudes about intimate partner violence and femicide. The resources and tools communities need to prioritize victims’ safety and respond effectively to escalating offenders.
8. Alternatives to traditional criminal justice responses to intimate partner violence including restorative justice and public health models and well as wrap-around services for victims in crisis.
As the issues arise specifically from the circumstances associated with the deaths of the victims, family, friends, members of the community, law enforcement, service providers and other individuals with an understanding of the underlying causes of intimate partner violence and femicide in rural communities, will be invited to share their knowledge and experience.
Standing
Standing has been granted to:
1. Valerie Warmerdam, daughter of Nathalie Warmerdam;
2. EVA (End Violence Against Women Renfrew County); and,
3. Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario.
The Inquest will be open to the public. Members of the public who wish to view the proceedings can do so live by registering in advance at the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FxIb6b_XQpSLQrDcch6QRg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the inquest virtually.
Rea,S., Ministry of the Solicitor General(2022,June3) INQUEST INTO THE DEATHS OF Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam – Ruling on the Applications for Standing and Appendix A: Scope of the Inquest into the Deaths of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam [media release]