IRENE BEDARD’S STORY

After 17 years of being a victim of unimaginable physical and mental abuse at the hands of her husband, Native American actress Irene Bedard is now being victimized by her abuser in the courts. 

When she mustered the courage to leave the abusive situation only months ago, she fled with her son Quinn to her home state of Alaska where she had family, employment and the support to heal.  The failure of her Alaskan lawyer to protect her rights opened the door for her abusive husband to file 49 motions in the Greene County, Ohio courts that forced her and her son back to Ohio where she has no employment, no money or family.  Her son was returned to her abusive husband. Now she is a virtual prisoner in Ohio without money, as her husband has controlled her income, her career, and her life for 17 years.

While there are many agencies that help victims of domestic violence leave the dangerous situation, the judicial system then allows the abuser to continue to batter the victim in the courts.  This “assault by lawyer” must stop. It is a travesty that Ohio courts would return her son to a person who has perpetrated domestic violence.

When Irene was forced to return to Ohio she wanted to keep this matter private, just as she had hidden the bruises, scars and broken bones from friends and family for so many years. Family members, who love her dearly, went public with her story to help draw attention to her ordeal. While Irene did not initially want this information out in the public, now that it is, she realizes that she can no longer hide the secret she has kept for so long and will be speaking out publicly when she is ready.  Right now, she is focused on the courts and gaining back custody of her son.

Irene does need your help.  First, please write a letter to the politicians listed below asking them to intervene on Irene’s behalf.  Irene only wants two things from the lawmakers: to have the legal venue moved back to Alaska from Ohio, and to get her son back. A sample letter is provided below. Feel free to use your own words if you prefer.

Second, Irene’s legal bills to fight this complicated case are mounting, and she needs the best representation possible to counter the many legal motions that are being filed against her. Irene would be very appreciative if you would donate on the Red Crystal Gala website (www.redcrystalgala.org), via the PayPal link, to help with her legal and living expenses as she fights this uphill battle to regain her son and her freedom. 

Also, her abusive husband has not only taken her money and her son, he also has control of her image. Please be aware that the websites, Facebook and MySpace accounts under Irene’s name are not being run by her at this time.  She has no access to these accounts, only her husband does. 

When Irene is ready, she will be launching new sites that are controlled by her.  In the meantime, Irene will be using the Native Spirit PR & Entertainment website (www.nativespiritpublicrelations.com) as way to provide accurate information and to thank her many fans for the tremendous outpouring of support that she is receiving. She wants you to know that the information on this site will indeed be from Irene.

To send Irene your words of encouragement, write directly to her at irenebedard@roadrunner.com. Irene also would like to publicly thank all the family members and friends who have done so much for her these past few months.  In particular, she would like to thank her niece Alia Davis who has worked tirelessly on her aunt’s behalf sending letters and posting information to get the word out about Irene’s situation.

We thank you for your help, and please keep Irene and her son in your prayers.

Jody Roberts

Native Spirit PR & Entertainment