Organizations launched a cry from the heart on Thursday to demand more funding for emergency accommodation for women victims of domestic violence while commemorating the memory of Josianne Faucher, killed earlier this week.
Despite the rain, more than twenty women gathered in front of the Longueuil courthouse to observe a minute of silence in memory of the young woman who would be the 9e woman murdered since the beginning of the year in Quebec.
A 38-year-old man, David Tota, had appeared there the day before in connection with this tragedy.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) refused to confirm the link he had with the victim, but according to information obtained by The Press, it could be a drama that occurred in a marital context. The victim is said to have recently separated and started a relationship with a new partner.
In 2016, David Tota faced charges of assault in a context of domestic violence. He was acquitted, but a ban on possessing weapons was imposed.
A “gap” in the system
“It’s even more frustrating when we see that there was a flaw in the justice system and that unfortunately someone died as a result of this gap,” testified the general director of the shelter for women victims of the Re-Source of Châteauguay, Karine Morel. “It’s unacceptable, one more femicide. »
In an interview with TVA on Thursday, the victim’s sister testified that the latter was still living with the accused at the time of the tragedy.
PHOTO BRUNO MARCOTTE, THE PRESS
The woman was found lifeless in a family neighborhood in Candiac on Tuesday.
For Karine Morel, the fact that the young woman did not turn to the services offered by her organization constitutes “a challenge”. “Maybe she didn’t know us, that we need to do more awareness campaigns,” she said.
However, despite significant investments from the provincial government in recent years, the number of places in shelters is still insufficient, affirms Karine Morel.
Growing needs
This is evidenced by the seven rooms and eight accommodations at Re-Source, which serves Candiac, where Josianne Faucher resided, which are at full capacity.
Annie Flibotte, from the Association of Homes for Women Victims of Domestic Violence, also pleaded Thursday for better funding of these services. “We see the demands and needs which have exploded and we cannot meet the demand. »
The latter is concerned about the rate at which women have been murdered since the start of the year. “We remember that in 2021, 17 women were killed in the context of domestic violence. We don’t want to relive that nightmare,” she said.
“All these figures are proof that the fight against violence against women is still not over,” insists Annie Flibotte.