The Safety Factor Bio
Though she didn’t know then, “The Safety Factor” began with a threatening phone call.
Back in 1997 Jennifer walked out of an unhappy relationship. She began receiving nasty phone calls and letters from her ex, and she’d often see him sitting in his car in her driveway late at night with the headlights off, watching the house. For almost 2 years she felt scared because she was continually being followed and threatened. She had difficulty getting the information and support she needed to feel safe. She didn’t realize there were anti-stalking laws that would have afforded her some peace of mind so she was unable to take action. She moved away, changed her phone number and left no mail-forwarding address. She even had a security alert put on her driver’s license so that if anyone tried to get her new address she would be alerted. It was a stressful time when she felt the most powerless.
During her research in later years, she was alarmed to discover her situation fell into one of the most dangerous categories, in which some notable cases ended in death.
In August 1998, after 12 years of being a counselor for youth-at-risk and addicted adults, Jennifer became involved in television production. She unexpectedly fell into the role of TV host for “Plugged In,” a magazine-style program at the local community access station, when she went to visit the set at Videon to see how a TV studio operated. “I had no idea I was going to volunteer,” she said. With little preparation Jennifer was put in the hot seat that evening, and later became the regular host of the weekly program.
She soon felt at home helping to produce and host television programs. Eventually she had the opportunity to work with the RCMP when she discovered how television can be a tool to teach the community about personal safety and crime prevention. She helped produce and host “Cop Talk,” a live call-in show that helped inform the public about various police issues. She also helped produce a video that demonstrated the effects of drinking on driving, a video that was circulated internationally as an educational resource for schools. In June 2001 she was awarded a recognition plaque by the RCMP for her service to the community.
Over the next few years, Jennifer went on to create the series that ultimately became “The Safety Factor,” so she could continue giving useful safety information to the public. To date Jennifer has produced a handful of educational videos. She continues to connect and create videos with community groups like The Lifesaving Society and The Winnipeg Firefighters & Paramedics Unit, always striving for more ideas from her audience to help drive The Safety Factor forward. There is much more work to be done, and Jennifer is just at the beginning of this rewarding journey.
