Alain Seguin 

Alain was sexually molested by Roman Catholic High School teacher Robert Sabourin

Media Coverage at Cornwall Public Inquiry

12 February 2006: Sex abuse inquiry can't heal wounds

18 October 2006: Alain Seguin testifies at Cornwall Public Inquiry

28 October 2006: Victim says doors slammed in his face  

AFFIDAVIT of Alain Sequin

IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO THE EVENTS
SURROUNDING THE ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE OF YOUNG
PEOPLE IN CORNWALL. ONTARIO
AND
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR STANDING AND
FUNDING FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE ABUSE

AFFIDAVIT OF ALAIN SEGUIN 

I, ALAIN SEGUIN, of the Township of South Stormont, in the United County of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, in the Province of Ontario, MAKE OATH AND SAY AS FOLLOWS:

1.  I am one of the group of victims who was sexually abused (hereinafter referred to as "Victims Group") in the Cornwall area.

2.   In 1972, at the age of twelve, I was sexually abused by Robert Sabourin, a teacher in Cornwall at the time. This abuse continued for two years.

3.  The Victims Group seeks standing at this Inquiry to ensure that the perspective of the Victims Group is brought before the Inquiry.

4.  As a victim of sexual abuse, my perspective includes the following:

a.  Early complaints from other victims were not acted upon. I saw how they were treated and this led to my distrust in the system. I believe the Church, school and police tried to protect the abuser and not the victims of sexual abuse.

b.  In 1998, a criminal charge was laid against Sabourin with respect to my abuse. He plead guilty. Even since his admission of guilt, I have been offered no assistance from the Church or school in dealing with the sexual abuse.

Impact of the Abuse 

 5.  As a result of this sexual abuse. I lost my childhood. I struggled to come to terms with what had happened and I turned to drugs and alcohol to help me cope.

6.  My poor coping mechanisms resulted in my inability to concentrate and led to poor performance at school. Eventually I dropped out.

7.  Since the abuse and the failure of any form of institutional response, I have lost trust in authority figures and institutions. As a result, I experienced difficulties with the law.

8.  As a result of the abuse. I spent most of my formative years in physical, mental and emotional turmoil. I have trouble trusting others which has resulted in difficulties maintaining relationships with others.

9.  The actions of Sabourin have left me with permanent psychological and physical injuries. My abililty to carry on a normal life has been extinguished.

10.  As a result of my inability to cope with the abuse, I have had difficulties maintaining gainful employment.

Failings of the Institutional Response 

11.  I verily believe that the other victims of sexual abuse were poorly treated by the Courts when their cases came to trial, and as such, this has greatly discouraged me. I have lost complete faith in the judicial system.

12. I believe that further details of my first hand experience as a victim dealing with the Cornwall police and justice system, which is the focus of Part I of this Inquiry, would be beneficial information for the Inquiry, I believe that my experiences and those of other victims must be canvassed by the Inquiry in order for it to fulfill its mandate.

13.  My detailed experiences dealing with the police and justice institutions could be obtained by my testimony or the provision of a summary of my experiences. The provision of either would be most effective if counsel were provided to me as it would be to other victims.

Clinical Support 

14.  I am currently receiving limited psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I suffered at the hands of Robert Sabourin.

15.  I am not satisfied with the level of support that I am receiving. I do not feel the professionals that I have dealt with thus far have adequate resources to help me.

16. 1 verily believe that I will continue to require psychological support and counselling to help me deal with the emotional trauma I have suffered, as a result of the abuse.

Standing 

17.   As a first hand victim of sexual abuse, I verily believe that it is crucial that my perspective be brought before the Inquiry. Therefore, I have a direct interest in the outcome of this Inquiry and, as part of the Victims Group, have a substantial interest in ensuring the objectives of this Inquiry are met.

18.  I further understand that I have the potential for a civil action or application for criminal injuries compensation and that those legal rights may be impacted by my participation within the Inquiry. Accordingly, I believe that I need access to legal counsel, as do other victims like me, in order to fairly participate without detrimental impact upon my civil and administrative remedies.

19.  Having personally experienced the depths of the impact of sexual abuse and the related institutional failings, I, like other victims have the greatest motivation to see the system corrected and improved.

20.  I strongly believe that there is no greater advocate for systematic improvement of the treatment, handling, and prosecution of sexual abuse cases than the victims themselves.

Funding 

21. I have been clinically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. With great difficulty I have been able to secure and maintain employment. However, I am the single father of two children who has single-handedly raised my children for the past fifteen years. Therefore, in order to participate and be adequately represented at the Cornwall Inquiry I require that Ledrolt Beckett, as my counsel of choice, receive funding to represent my interests without which I would otherwise be unable to participate in the Inquiry.

SWORN BEFORE ME at the City of Cornwall, in the United County of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, this 18th day of October, 2005

A Commissioner, etc.                     ALAIN SEGUIN