Rally in support of victims of IPV returns to the Sault

Two years to the day that intimate partner violence resulted in the murder of four Saultites, the Voices Against Violence Rally honoured them.

Two years to the day that intimate partner violence resulted in the murder of four people in the Sault, the Voices Against Violence Rally was held Thursday to honour them -- and push for change.

Angie Sweeney was among those killed on Oct. 23, 2023. Two of her best friends, Renee Buczel and Lindsay Stewart, alongside Sweeney’s parents Brian and Suzanne, created Angie’s Angels.

The four organized Thursday’s rally on the anniversary of Angie’s passing.

“I think it gives us purpose and hope on a day that would be daunting and really hard for all of us individually and collectively as a family,” Buczel said.

Stewart said she “admired” her late friend.

“Angie was just truly authentic, I always admired that about her,” Stewart said.

“She was just truly herself, truly Angie. She was hilarious, so funny, an amazing cook -- and a great friend.”

In the last two years, Angie’s Angels has advocated for added support to fight IPV -- and a provincial declaration that IPV is an epidemic.

So far, 106 of Ontario’s 444 municipalities have declared intimate partner violence an epidemic, but the province has not.

Sault Ste. Marie made the declaration within a week of the tragedy and within a few months, the local police force changed the way they deal with IPV.

Opportunities to improve

Sault Police Chief Brent Duguay said a review quickly showed that there were opportunities to improve.

“We could reach out (24-48 hours after initial contact), potentially giving individuals who didn’t disclose an IPV occurrence at our initial contact an opportunity to feel safer to come forward, and have another conversation,” Duguay said.

“We’ve done almost 1,200 callbacks to this point. We’ve initiated over 40 new occurrences and laid 10 new charges. So I do believe our officers are asking the right questions at the time.”

Nicole Goulet, the community services supervisor at Women in Crisis, said the tragedy was a catalyst for conversation and change, but “the fight is just beginning.”

Need to talk about IPV

“IPV is prevalent and we need to talk about it,” Goulet said.

“We need to bring people together to combat this as a community. I think individuals are working hard -- our organizations are working hard, but we need to bring everyone together and have those conversations.”

The need for more action is something echoed by Angie’s Angels.

“I think we need to see violent offenders in jail, right?” said Buczel.

“I think tougher bail. I think tougher sentencing for repeat offenders, I think, is really important, kind of at a federal level. At a provincial level, I want to see IPV declared an epidemic.”

“I think a lot of the work has honestly been done, especially from the Renfrew (County) inquest with the 86 recommendations that came from it,” Stewart added.

“I would just like to see some of those recommendations be implemented.”