A 78 -year -old woman in the Municipalities of the East of Quebec was found in “non -living” conditions and sleeping on the floor after her former partner allegedly controls her life for 27 years, according to the police.
At the end of February, Memphrémagog’s police found the woman at home, which belonged to her and her ex-partner in the municipality of Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley.
Initially, the police entered to help Quebec society for the protection of animals in the elimination of 13 cats, which were described as patients and dehydrated.
The authorities said that cats not only lived in a “toxic atmosphere” and “unacceptable conditions”, but that the woman was also in a “very precarious situation.”
“The house was completely unstable,” said Lieutenant Carl Pepin with the Memphrémagog police.
“I was sleeping on the floor … no cleaning was done at home for many months.”
Pepin did not come into details about the physical condition of the woman, but says it had to be carried out in the house. The house was not stove and the bathroom was unusable, according to the police.
Pepin says that the police are contributing this case to public care as a reminder of the importance of properly caring for older people.
Former couple could face several positions
Although the former woman had not lived at home for 27 years, the police say that he exercised financial and psychological control over the victim, isolating her from the outside world.
“The investigation revealed that the suspect took control of almost all aspects of his life and would not provide him with the tools he needs to have a decent life,” said Pepin.
“If you are going to be in charge or take care of an older person … you have to do it correctly.”
The former partner, a 65 -year -old Sherbrooke man, was arrested on March 19. Police say that several positions could face, including criminal negligence that causes bodily damage, not to provide the needs of life and the inability to provide adequate attention for an animal under the custody of one.
The charges have not yet been presented or tested in the Court.
The man was released with conditions and in a promise to appear before the court on June 12.
Police say that the woman was transported to the hospital and was recently put in a residence to receive attention.
Karine Barrette, lawyer and project manager with the I regrouped des maisons pour femmes vítimes of conjugate violence, He did not comment on this particular case, but says that in general, coercive or financial control can affect people of all ages.
“We often tend to forget older women,” said Barrette.
She says that coercive control is a series of strategies used by perpetrators to insulate, to often make your partner or ex -partner fear for their life or security of loved ones. She says this can include monitoring, physical or emotional threats, humiliation and gas lighting.
“It also affects older women. So I think we have to take into account that it can be, a part of negligence towards older people, but it can also be in intersection with domestic violence,” said Barrette.
If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, call 911. If you are affected by family or couple violence, you can seek help Crisis lines and local support services.
