ESTEVAN - Sandy Hedstrom has been campaigning for changes in legislation controlling domestic violence since November 2020, and she is confident that both federal and provincial governments are not doing enough.
On Dec. 21, accompanied by two of her friends, Daphne and Neil Meunier, Hedstrom was in front of Estevan MLA Lori Carr's and Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen's offices on Fourth Street in Estevan, raising awareness about the problem.
She said the topic is not recognized or talked about enough, and she believes that victims of domestic violence "need a lot of help to get out of their situations before they become another Saskatchewan and Canadian statistic."
"I've been advocating for the last year for domestic violence. And so today, I thought I would have an awareness day, so people can come down, ask questions, get answers, maybe some direction," Hedstrom explained.
"Saskatchewan has the highest rate of domestic violence per capita in Canada. And they're bringing in Bill C-22. And it's going to be more lenient for criminals and punish the victims more."
In February 2021, the federal government introduced
Bill C-22 was introduced in February 2021. The proposed, legislation would void certain penalties that the government says have disproportionately harmed Indigenous and Black offenders and those struggling with addictions.
Hedstrom said she is very dedicated to the cause. Despite cold weather, she was out campaigning outdoors from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. She said not only did she want to raise awareness about the existing problems within the community, but she also wanted to attract the attention of Estevan's federal and provincial representatives.
"I'm trying to bring more information to the public. And I've been writing both federal and provincial for a year now," Hedstrom said.
She said her efforts don't go unnoticed.
"Some of them are proposing new things. But when it goes to legislation, it could take 10 years. And we need help now, we don't need it in 10 years' time. We don't want our families becoming statistics. That's the main reason" Hedstrom said.
Hedstrom started working to improve the situation with domestic violence in the province for personal reasons, but she said she is doing what she is doing for everyone in Saskatchewan.
"My family was affected by domestic violence. And I've seen what they went through. The victims of these crimes don't have the time. And the perpetrators really mess up their heads. So they can't think clearly. So when I started healing my family or getting them help, I decided that I was really retired now, I had more time to make the calls, write the letters, and send them places where they don't have that time," Hedstrom said.
She added that she is not raising any funds, but if someone wants to support her in her efforts to help victims of domestic violence, they can donate to Envision Counselling and Support Centre.
