The Misuse of Peace Bonds and Gender Bias in the Ottawa Police Service’s Handling of Domestic Abuse

The misuse of peace bonds, combined with gender bias in law enforcement, can result in victims of domestic abuse being re-victimized by both their abusers and the very systems meant to protect them. This has been my experience with the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), particularly through the actions of Detective Jessica MacFadyen in the Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) unit. Despite clear court orders allowing me to contact my ex-husband, Michael Broughton, regarding our children and ongoing court proceedings, I am now facing an arrest warrant for allegedly breaching a peace bond.

The peace bond system, intended to offer protection for those in genuine fear of harm, has instead been weaponized by my ex-husband to control and manipulate me further. This misuse has been exacerbated by systemic failures within OPS, where a lack of diligence, gender bias, and flawed investigative processes have allowed my ex-husband to misuse the legal system to his advantage.

Peace Bond Breach Allegation and Lack of Due Diligence

In my case, Detective MacFadyen has issued a warrant for my arrest based on an alleged breach of a peace bond that clearly permits communication with my ex-husband concerning our children. This condition was not only set by the court but also agreed upon by the Crown. Detective MacFadyen, however, has failed to properly verify the evidence, including the emails allegedly sent by my ex-husband, and seems unaware of the specific peace bond conditions.

When I questioned the possibility of consequences for my ex-husband if it were found that he fabricated evidence, Detective MacFadyen indicated that no action would be taken. This lack of accountability for false accusations is alarming, especially given my ex-husband’s technical expertise as an Oracle programmer, which makes him fully capable of manipulating digital evidence.

Historical Bias and Unfair Treatment

This is not the first time I have encountered such bias and negligence from the OPS. In a previous incident on February 12, 2018, I was unlawfully evicted from my home at 342 Foxhall by the OPS, based on a false claim by Michael Broughton that I had abandoned the property. The Residential Tenancies Act clearly states that evictions must be executed by the Sheriff following an order from the Landlord and Tenant Board, yet OPS, led by Sgt. Franco Sacco, disregarded these legal procedures and threatened me with arrest if I attempted to return to my home.

In contrast, when Michael Broughton stole my dog post-separation, OPS dismissed this theft as a civil matter, refusing to take any action. This demonstrates a disturbing double standard in law enforcement: while OPS intervened in the civil matter of eviction, they failed to act on a clear case of criminal theft.

Systemic Gender Bias and Manipulation of Legal Protections

This pattern of bias by OPS has facilitated further abuse by Michael Broughton. Women reporting abuse are often met with skepticism or accusations of emotional instability, while men’s complaints—particularly in high-conflict separations—are taken at face value without adequate scrutiny. This bias allows abusers to misuse legal tools such as peace bonds to control and intimidate their victims, rather than protect them.

The lack of thorough investigation by Detective MacFadyen, combined with her dismissive attitude towards my legitimate concerns, is indicative of a systemic problem within OPS. Abusers like Michael Broughton are able to manipulate the legal system to their advantage, while victims like myself face obstacles at every turn when seeking justice.

Request for Urgent Review and Corrective Action

I am calling for an impartial investigation into the conduct of Detective MacFadyen and the overall handling of my case by OPS. Specifically, I request an independent review of the emails and evidence submitted by Michael Broughton, as well as an inquiry into the systemic bias that appears to have influenced the OPS’s actions. The Ottawa Police Service must be held accountable for their failure to protect victims and their complicity in facilitating further abuse.

Without meaningful reform, the peace bond system will continue to be used as a tool of manipulation and control by abusers, and victims will remain vulnerable to ongoing harm.