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Race, Neglect: A Woman's Plea for Help Ignored
19 Nov
Summary
- Indigenous woman died while seeking help for abuse.
- Police failed to investigate multiple domestic violence reports.
- Coroner declined inquest, citing reforms since the death.
The tragic death of Kardell Lomas, a pregnant Indigenous woman, has exposed critical systemic failures. Lomas sought help multiple times from domestic violence services and police in the months leading up to her passing in December 2019. Despite her explicit fears for safety and threats against her life, her pleas were not adequately addressed.
Despite 24 recorded interactions with various agencies, including police responding to domestic disturbances, no effective protective action was taken. A coroner's finding detailed the events but did not delve into the police response or alleged systemic racism. Her family and experts believe authorities overlooked clear evidence of racial bias in how her attempts to seek help were handled.
The decision not to hold a formal inquest has left the family seeking accountability for these failures. Experts and advocates emphasize that First Nations women face disproportionately higher rates of intimate partner homicide, underscoring this as a national crisis demanding urgent attention and systemic reform.
