Survivor of intimate partner violence asks P.E.I. MLAs for better protection for victims

WARNING: This story contains details of intimate partner violence. Resources and supports for anyone who has experienced domestic violence can be found at the bottom of this story.

Over the span of three years, Tammy Sanderson was beaten with broom handles, whipped with cords on her bare skin, suffered broken ribs and had her face burned with a cigarette.

In 2024, the Cardigan, P.E.I., woman found the strength to walk into an RCMP detachment and tell officers about the abuse she and her children endured at the hands of her partner.

She provided police with her phone and hundreds of photographs, videos and messages. She gave statements for hours.

Days later, the RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit found the man and charged him with two counts of assault causing bodily harm, three counts of assault with a weapon and one count of assault.

Sanderson said she was told her former partner should receive a minimum of five and a half years in prison. But following dozens of court dates over 14 months, he was sentenced to just 90 days in jail, which he served on weekends.

Sanderson recounted the domestic violence she endured in the P.E.I. Legislature on Wednesday, standing before MLAs and detailing what she and her children lived through.

“I wasn’t the first woman he beat, nor was I the second,” she said. “He had a history of domestic violence.”

Sanderson told the politicians that she sought out services in the province — “or should I say the lack of.”

During the 14 months of court proceedings, she began reading criminal codes, P.E.I. legislation and laws in other parts of the country, comparing what domestic violence protocols existed in other provinces and what was lacking on the Island.

“That is when I found Clare’s Law,” Sanderson said.

Clare’s Law provides a means for police officers to provide a person’s history of abusive behaviour to those who may be at risk from it.

It was named after Clare Wood, a 36-year-old woman in the U.K. who was murdered by strangulation and set on fire by her former domestic partner, George Appleton, who police knew to be dangerous.

The law allows members of the public to check with police to see if a partner has a history of domestic violence, stalking or harassment. It was first implemented in England and Wales in 2014 and has since been adopted or proposed in other regions, including in Canada — Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador have adopted similar acts.

Sanderson began contacting RCMP in provinces that already had such protocols in place, along with relevant groups and institutions, seeking information on how to bring such legislation to P.E.I.

“I see a pattern which needs to be fixed,” she told MLAs.

“The system has failed me, like so many others. By passing the bill, you’ve given another person a chance, a chance to sit down with RCMP and have the right to ask and the right to know. This will save lives.”

Sanderson’s eyes filled with tears as she watched each MLA rise and support the bill.

It passed second reading unanimously.

“I think it’s very important for our province. It’s going to save lives,” she told CBC News outside the legislature.

“We need better support systems for violence on Prince Edward Island. There are no domestic violence groups that are available on P.E.I. There needs to be more workers that are directed at domestic violence and the people that are in these positions need to have more education, because they’re lacking a lot of it.”

The bill was introduced by Liberal MLA Carolyn Simpson. She told CBC News that it’s “a critical piece of legislation” that “puts power back in the hands of potential victims of intimate partner violence.”

“I believe it will be empowering for men and women who take advantage of this opportunity when it is proclaimed and becomes law,” Simpson said. 

“I do believe it actually will save, dare I say, countless numbers of violence against partners and potentially lives.”

Watching the unanimous vote, Simpson described “an overwhelming feeling of great pride and joy.”

A date has not been set for the bill’s proclamation into law. Simpson said that was intentional to ensure the act is implemented correctly.

“You need to do the due diligence on that piece of work so as not to rush it,” she said. 

“I’ve already said I’m happy to help where I can and I know that the people that were involved in the consultation equally are there to assist with any of the regulatory and policy decisions that still need to be made.”

If you’re a victim of abuse, P.E.I. Family Violence Prevention Services has a 24-hour, toll-free crisis and support line. Islanders can reach someone by calling 1-800-240-9894. Support is also available by text from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Calls are confidential.

If you are or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, here are some other resources: