A14 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 31, 1996 From front Victim’s faith gave strength to survive “I wied to go back in September. I loved those kids, but they could see me shaking. | couldn’! take care of myself, and I couldn't council them the way I used to.’? Fee’s been going to physiotherapy since the attack, but says her neck and back are slill too sore to return to her hobby of riding homes and has permanent scars on her left wrist from where White grabbed her, . “I have to get better, [ have a long way to go. It’s like he killed me. There’s parts of me that are destroyed.’”” Speaking al the Terrace Women’s Centre the day afler the sentencing Fee emphasized she’s a survivor. aceite “T don’t want to be portrayed as a victim anymore, | want women in similar situations to be able to learn from this and 1 don’t want this to be an attack against the name of God,”’ White was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Terrace and prominent in the local chapter of Promise Keepers. Fee says when she went to the church for help when she staried having concerns about White, she did not get the support she needed. But she blames While in part for that. “‘He used Promise Keepers and he used other people to bide who he really was and that scares me,"’ Fee said. ‘But I don’t want this to be about the church, This is about ignorance and people not wanting to get involved.” White told the court he’s sorry for whal hap- pened though,” oO Before Justice Ron McKinnon handed down the sentence White stood up in the prisoners’ “There has not been a day that I have not regretted what happened, ”* he said.‘‘T pray that there has been no permanent damage to Tammy and to her family. I ask that there be some for- givencss. 1’m very sorry for whal bas taken place, and I look forward to any treatment that will be needed.” Fee said it was very difficult to be in court and face White, but she’s glad she did, *] looked him in the eye in court and that really helped, I survived,’’ And in coming to the women’s centre for sup- port, she hopes her story will help other women. The ‘center’s Leslie McCauley says society has to tell men it’s not okay to ignore women’s concerns when they ask for help, “They often go to men for help, whether it’s police, ministers of doctors, and they’re not helped,”’ McCauley says.'‘And it’s usually men in those posilions.”’ McCauley says she’s not happy with the Sentence, She says White should have received four of five years, Tammy hopes to return to work soon, but she says her first priority is her own safety, “‘T have to concentrate on keeping my and my kids safe, * she said. “I believe I'll have to go into hiding and change my identity. I believe he’ll try and get me back, but I can make it damn difficult for him to try and find me.’’ pad TAMMY FEE speaks to a women's centre gathering about surviving an assault at the hands of her ex- boyfriend and her life since then. Two year term draws criticism TAMMY FEE isn’t happy with the two-year sentence given to the man who at- tacked her. “There must be stiffer penalties. He got a slap on the wrist,”? Fee said of Ric White. “But the judge did the best he could with the judicial system the way it Is,”? In addition to the two years, Justice Ron McKin- non also sentenced him to three years probation, or- dered he have no contact with Fee or ber family, banned him from owning firearms for ten years and said he must take part in any counselling that is sug- gested, “And although [ can’t or- der you do this,’” McKinnon said to White,‘‘I strangly Slggcst you not return to Terrace.” Fee’s mom Elsie Polack and sister Dawne Polack agree with her. “The probation order doesn’t make her safer,” said Dawne. ‘‘I believe he'll go after her again.” “He was a charmer,’’ EI- sic said. ‘‘But there was something not quite right about him. I sent Tammy in- formation about controlling relationships. She now lives in fear, she sleeps with a knife under her pillow. | know he’s not going to stop with Tammy.” Keith’ Aartsen, White’s lawyer, asked for the two- year sentence, pointing out a longer term would not allow for any probationary period, Under the Canadian jus- tice system, parole can only be included in sentences of two years or less, Aartsen said White was bs Ric White now acting normally when he leamed Fee didn’t want to see him anymore. “He basically started to lose it, but that’s no excuse for his behaviour,’’ said Aartson, He also pointed out White had pleaded guilty, thercby saving Fee from having to go through the stress of a jury trial, Prosecutor Cari Gustafson says although he asked for a three to four year prison tenn he understands why Justice McKinnon crafted the sentence he ¢id. ‘Probation is control an his (White’s) life,’’ Gustaf- son said. I am content with the sentence granted.’’ White will be given mandatory parole after he’s Served two-thirds, or 16 months of his sentence if he’s demonstrated good be- haviour. He can then apply for dif- ferent stages of parole, Judge McKinnon said he hopes Tammy will, onc day, be able to have feelings of peace, MEMBERLINK Secon: Il aa ss fae * 24 hour access to your account from your phone at home or at work, v MEMBERLINK is an Easy and Convenient Banking System that allows you fo: + MEMBERLINK Security and Bill Payments * To pay bills and access uecounts, bring v Using MEMBERLINK Just dial 635-0114 homo touch ione Talk with one of our representative for further information or to sign up for 24 hour account access, Terrace & District Credit Union 4650 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace ph. 635-7282 MEMBERLINK 635-0114 check your deposit and foan accounl balances fram your phone 24 hours 1 doy. lransler funds bekween chlequing, savings aad ta loans pay ulility bills (with prior registration of bill numbers) verify recent deposils verily whieh cheques have clacired youraccount * ‘ . check “Tenace & District Credit Unions” curcent interest rates get alfice hours and ATM locations your utility bills in to our office and we will set up personal access numbers which only you can use. 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