A Montreal North man has been charged with first degree murder in connection with the stabbing Sunday night of his pregnant spouse.
The victim is recovering but the foetus — seven or eight months old — died after being delivered via emergency C-section.
Montreal police say it was not the first time officers went to the couple's home to respond to a call for a domestic dispute.
Police say that in the latest incident, they tried to convince the woman to leave and stay with relatives or a shelter but that she refused - instead sending her two children to stay with relatives.
Manon Monastesse, executive director of the Fédération des maisons d'hébergement pour femmes said police will sometimes call groups like theirs to help and perhaps that should have been done in this case.
"A social worker could talk directly to the woman. This is our work, we do that 24 hours a day, this is our expertise so I think that could have been made as an action," said Monastesse in an interview with CJAD 800 News.
Maud Pontel, a coordinator with emergency shelter Shield of Athena said they often see these types of situations.
"Even if it wasn't the first time police came to this house, it's really difficult for a woman to realize she's a victim of conjugal violence," said Pontel.
"I don't know what's happening in her head, it's her story, she's trying to find solutions regarding her situation. It's really, really, really difficult to understand, people shouldn't judge her."
Pontel said conjugal violence is not about crimes of passion but rather control and power.
"Some of them are just too scared - when your partner is telling you that he will kill you if you leave, your only way to survive is to stay in this relationship."