‘That grief, we carry it every day': Breanna Broadfoot's family plans vigil; calls for end to Intimate Partner Violence
Police say the suspect stabbed Breanna and another person before being shot by officers. He later died in hospital.
Since then, her family has been fighting to raise awareness about intimate partner violence and this Friday, they're inviting the community to stand with them.
'It's going to be a difficult day, emotionally and personally. But we deal with that you know, that grief every day,' said Brenna's father Brett Broadfoot.
The Broadfoots, with support from Anova and the London Abused Women's Centre, are hosting a memorial event on Friday at Ed Blake Park.
From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., people can drop off hygiene donations, enjoy food and hear from community leaders about the urgent need to end violence against women.
The Executive Director of the London Abused Women's Center (LAWC) Jennifer Dunn says although progress is being made, more needs to be done.
'There is a lot better communication, a lot more opportunities to work together. But it's not fast enough. We need to have a coordinated community response to end violence against women. And that's the bottom line.'
Both agencies will be there to connect people with resources and remind survivors that they are not alone.
Breanna's family also wants people to know how she gave. Even in death, her organ donations saved five lives.
'Breanna always wanted to help people… She's just a real giver and full of life, and a huge heart,' said Brett. 'She was a hero,' echoed her mother, Jessica.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
20 minutes ago
- CTV News
Othello Tunnels reopened, but body of 19-year-old not yet found, RCMP say
Members of Hope Search and Rescue's swiftwater team wade into the waters at the Othello Tunnels to mount a rescue operation in 2024. (Facebook/Hope Search and Rescue) The Othello Tunnels area of Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park has reopened, but efforts to find the 19-year-old man believed to have drowned there over the weekend have so far been unsuccessful. Search and rescue efforts will resume Saturday, the RCMP's Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment RCMP said in a news release Friday. 'The pools of water where the man was last seen were thoroughly searched in hopes of locating him and providing a level of closure to his family,' said Staff Sgt. Mike Sargent, in the release. 'While he has not yet been found, search efforts remain active and ongoing.' Public access will be restricted in certain areas of the park to accommodate search efforts going forward. The missing man went into the water near the Othello Tunnels shortly after 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. Police have previously said a bystander was rescued by raft after becoming stranded while trying to locate the fallen man. The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team searched the area on July 30 but was unable to find the young man's body. The following day, Hope Search and Rescue continued searching from the shoreline and using drones to fly over the river.
CTV News
20 minutes ago
- CTV News
$13K in jewelry stolen during Guelph break-in
More than $13,000 worth of jewelry was taken during a break-in at a Guelph home. It happened sometime Thursday in the area of Waverley Drive and Windsor Street. When the homeowner returned, just before 5 p.m., they found the patio door smashed and house ransacked. Guelph Police said jewelry, flatware and cash were missing. Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the neighbourhood can contact Const. Joel Yip Chuck at 519-824-1212, ext. 7556, or email jyipchuck@ Tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers.
CTV News
20 minutes ago
- CTV News
Retired Manitoba dentist reprimanded for sexual relationship with patient
A retired dentist who admitted he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient has been ordered to pay a $30,000 fine. Gary Levine, a former member of the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) who retired in 2024, pleaded guilty to professional misconduct charges before an MDA inquiry panel in April. According to a summary of the panel's decision, a former patient of Levine complained to the association alleging the dentist had been involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with her. The panel found Levine's conduct was 'clearly and demonstrably' in breach of the MDA's code of ethics when he pursued and engaged in sexual relations with a 'financially vulnerable' patient and provided dental services for free to further the relationship. 'His conduct constituted sexual harassment of the patient,' the summary wrote. The panel heard the patient met Levine in 2005 when she brought her son in for dental correction. The summary said Levine proposed a payment plan for the woman and her two sons to get braces after he found out she was a single mother. The summary said the woman became a regular patient of Levine's for five years and received additional dental work from him in subsequent years. 'Shortly after the patient's first appointment, Dr. Levine began engaging in flirtatious behaviour with the patient, which progressed to sexual encounters and intercourse between Dr. Levine and the patient, both at Dr. Levine's home and at his clinic,' the summary said. The panel heard Dr. Levine stopped charging the patient fees for dental services after their sexual relationship started. 'Carrying on a sexual relationship at the clinic and the subsequent waiver of fees was deemed entirely unacceptable,' the summary stated. The summary said Levine had no disciplinary history with the MDA prior to the complaint and noted the dentist was cooperative during the inquiry process. Levine was reprimanded by the panel and must pay $30,000 to the MDA for the investigation and hearing. He is also ineligible to seek registration with the MDA for six months. The summary noted if Levine seeks registration following that period, he must have a chaperone present for any interaction involving a female patient. Levine would also be required to complete an educational course on maintaining professional boundaries with patients.
