Woman's murder by partner not first 'femicide' case in Kingston: KIH

Members of Kingston Interval House believe there are more cases of woman being killed or assaulted by their partner.

Kingston Police say the murder of a woman at the hands of her male partner is the first 'femicide' case in the city.

But members of Kingston Interval House believe there are more cases of woman being killed or assaulted by their partner.

Leigh Martins, who is the Training, Education, and Volunteer Coordinator at KIH, says incidents like the one that occurred at a west-end home on May 16 happen more often than many people think.

26-year-old Hayden Harper-Brewer was arrested at the scene and is facing charges of first-degree murder in her death.

Officers were called to a home near Juniper Drive and Berrywood Crescent around 2:45 pm where they found a woman with serious injuries.

She was taken to hospital where she later died.

KIH's Executive Director Theresa Metcalfe says it is heartbreaking whenever she hears stories of women being killed by their partner.

Since the news of the woman's death, a lawyer from Kingston is leading the call to have the Province deem intimate partner violence as an epidemic.

Martins says Kingston and other communities have already recognized how big a problem IPV is.

Intimate partner violence also occurs when the attacker and victim are of the same sex.

But both Metcalfe and Martins say it is hard to ignore the overwhelming number of women being assaulted by their male partner.

People can learn more about intimate partner violence and where to get help by contacting Kingston Interval House at 613-546-1833, Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac at 613-584-4834, or 2-1-1.

Story by Ken Hashizume