Family Launches Urgent Campaign After Woman’s Tragic Death

BREAKING: The family of Bailey McCourt, a 32-year-old mother tragically slain on July 4, 2024, in Kelowna, B.C., has launched an urgent advocacy campaign to combat intimate partner violence. This initiative, titled Bailey’s Law, aims to implement critical legislative changes to protect victims like Bailey, whose life was cut short by preventable violence.

In an emotional letter to Canada’s Prime Minister, Bailey’s aunt, Debbie Henderson, expressed the family’s grief, stating, “Bailey was a vibrant, kind, and deeply loved woman whose life was tragically cut short by an act of preventable violence.” The letter details the family’s demands for reforms to the justice system that failed to protect Bailey from her ex-husband, James Plover, who has been charged with second-degree murder.

The campaign emphasizes that Bailey’s death exemplifies a broader pattern where the legal system identifies threats yet fails to provide adequate protection for victims. “Her death is a devastating example of the justice system’s failure to protect victims of intimate partner violence,” the letter asserts.

Among the proposed changes is the creation of a domestic violence offender registry accessible to police and the public, which would track individuals convicted of serious or repeat domestic violence offenses. The family is also advocating for mandatory first-degree murder charges in cases with documented histories of domestic violence.

Henderson highlighted the need for improved lethal risk assessments for police, prosecutors, and judges handling domestic violence cases. “Our family needs that and other families that have to go through it, too,” she said, stressing the urgency of these reforms.

Just hours before Bailey’s murder, Plover was convicted of uttering threats and assault by strangulation, highlighting a clear history of intimate partner violence. Henderson pointed out that simple, practical solutions, such as GPS tracking devices, could have saved Bailey’s life. “If there was a geo-fencing alert system for Bailey…she would have had time to find safety,” she explained.

The family is demanding immediate accountability from the government, with Henderson stating, “The current laws aren’t working. It’s OK to admit that.” She fears that without significant changes, more lives will be lost, warning, “We are going to lose more women. We are going to have more kids without moms.”

As of now, the Prime Minister’s office has not responded to the family’s letter, which was sent over a month ago. Global News has also reached out for comments regarding the proposed changes but has yet to receive a reply.

Despite the overwhelming grief, Henderson noted the community’s support has provided some comfort. “The community has stepped up in a big way,” she said. “We feel you, we know you’re right here with us and we know you are going to join our fight.”

The family’s advocacy campaign is gaining momentum, and many are calling for immediate action on these vital issues affecting countless victims of domestic violence across Canada.