Life was bliss before abuse: victim

Cornwall Standard Freeholder
10 November 2006

Terri Saunders

Local News - When Albert Roy was asked Thursday by a Cornwall Public Inquiry lawyer how he was affected by the sexual abuse he suffered as a child, the 36-year-old man paused, leaned back in his chair and slowly reached into the front pocket of his jeans.

He pulled out a small, faded, sepia-toned photograph showing a teenaged boy, grinning ear to ear, posing in front of a Christmas tree, the pleasure over the gift of a new guitar more than evident on his face.

"This is a photo of a young man at Christmas time, holding a guitar," said Roy. "In that young man's head, this hasn't happened yet."

The boy in the photo is Roy, taken in the early 1970s. What hasn't happened yet is the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of two probation officers.

"People in this room need to remember (this) is about the kids," said Roy, referring to the reason for the inquiry's existence.

"I'm not the hero in this - he is," said Roy, holding the photo out at arm's length for everyone in the hearing room to see. "He found some way to get out of it (the abuse.) Some kids don't."

The inquiry is investigating the public institutional response to decades of child sexual abuse in the Cornwall area. Roy is the latest in a parade of victims who have come forward to tell their stories as the commission attempts to get a handle on the extent of the issue in the community.

He is also the first witness who has confirmed he had some dealings with former city police officer Perry Dunlop, a man considered by many to be a central figure in the scandal.

Roy said he knew Dunlop when the two men were in high school and years later, Dunlop introduced him to a lawyer in relation to a civil lawsuit Roy was considering filing in relation to the abuse he'd suffered.

The full extent of discussions between Roy and Dunlop is not known. Roy has said he would like to seek legal counsel before answering any questions about meetings between Dunlop, himself and the lawyer. Roy also testified about the fact he had discussed Dunlop with former city police officer Heidi Sebalj on a number of occasions during the investigation into charges against one of the probation officers, Nelson Barque. Roy said he mentioned to Sebalj he wouldn't mind speaking with Dunlop, a meeting Roy said Sebalj told him she would try to facilitate.

Roy said Sebalj's easy demeanour changed a few weeks later.

"I mentioned it again and she told me to shut up," said Roy. "She said she didn't want to hear Perry's name; that he had nothing to do with this (Roy's case.)

"She got angry with me, but I didn't understand her anger. I thought I had done something wrong."

Throughout four days of grueling, often emotional testimony at the inquiry this week, Roy was reminded again and again that he had, in fact, done nothing in his life to deserve the abuse he suffered. He was told by lawyer after lawyer his story was compelling, important

and appreciated.

Joseph Neuberger, an attorney representing the Ontario Ministry of Community and Correctional Services and Adult Community Corrections, finished the day Thursday by delivering an apology to Roy 30 years in the making.

"I commend you on your bravery for having come forward, and the courage you've shown and the strength you've show this week," said

Neuberger. "You have suffered considerable harm at the hands of two probation officers. My client deeply regrets the abuse you have suffered."

Roy said he welcomed the apology, but wondered why he hadn't heard those words once in the past three decades.

"I thank them (ministry officials) for what you said," said Roy, "but I'm a little angry that it took this long."

The inquiry resumes Tuesday at 2 p.m.