No matter what happens, Liz Emerson says they cannot and will not give up
A St. Catharines mother and child abuse survivor, who spoke at St. Catharines council Monday night, is optimistic as Niagara communities push for justice and bail reform.
On Monday, St. Catharines joined Welland, Niagara Falls and Thorold in asking the provincial sex offender registry be made public.
Liz Emerson says getting this many municipalities to agree on this is something she has never seen.
She acknowledges it's an uphill battle, but one they refuse to give up on. "I don't know why people would oppose change, but as a survivor perspective, and my personal belief is when someone looks at me sideways for wanting the sex offender registry public, I start to look at them sideways.... they're either protecting someone or they are."
She says many are concerned about vigilantism.
Last night Welland council voted to ask the provincial Victim Quick Response Program be expanded to include longer term assistance, and not short term.
She knows when it comes to government, change can be slow. "I would want to ask them 'Who are you really protecting?' Are we really protecting the children, are we protecting our communities and families, or are we protecting the comfort of our abusers?"
She strongly encourages everyone to get involved, but stresses for peaceful, passionate protest, no vandalism.
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