Kimberly’s law reintroduced in BC legislature
Posted March 2, 2018 3:16 pm.
Last Updated March 2, 2018 4:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – The family of a murdered Victoria teen is holding out hope its proposed law will become a reality as it’s introduced in the Legislature for the second time.
The Safe Care Act, also known as Kimberly’s Law, proposes mandatory treatment for youth deemed at risk of committing violent crimes after Kimberly Proctor, 18, was raped and murdered by then teenagers Cameron Moffat, 17, and Kruse Wellwood, 16. The pair was sentenced in 2011 to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 10 years.
Kimberly’s aunt and family spokesperson Jo-Anne Landolt says the purpose of the bill is to identify potential threats before crimes are committed.
“As a society and as a parent, we try to get the help for our children, but it’s just really odd that children have a say in their complete well-being,” Landolt said. “They can go if they want to, but if they say ‘I don’t want to go anymore,’ they can walk out and not see anybody.”
The proposed law would also make parents accountable for their children’s actions if they don’t attempt to get the kids help. There is also a focus on treatment for youth drug and alcohol addictions, mental health, self-harm and sexual exploitation.
The bill was previously introduced by Liberal MLAs Gordon Hogg and Jane Thornthwaite and received support from all sides of the house. Thornthwaite reintroduced the bill this past Wednesday.
“To us it doesn’t matter if it’s a Liberal, NDP or the Green Party that put this in place. It just needs to be in place,” Landolt said.
The bill previously fell under multiple ministries, a fact Landolt believes stagnated its progress. She is confident the NDP’s creation of the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions may help the bill move forward.
The family’s proposal previously included identifying young offenders who plead guilty, and having those e found guilty in adult court receive the same sentences as adults, however both were deemed unconstitutional.
As the bill makes its way through the house a second time, Landolt says the family will continue to meet with provincial and federal politicians to garner support.
