Victims of sex abuse dealt life sentence: wife

Terri Saunders

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 10:00

Local News - A city woman broke down in tears Monday as she recounted the day in 1995 when her husband-to-be walked to the crest of the Seaway International Bridge, intent on climbing over the edge.

Vicky Roy said watching her fiancee Albert struggle with the demons inside him has not gotten any easier than it was on that day.

"Being sexually abused - you're dealing with it all your life; you've been given a life sentence," Vicky Roy told the Cornwall Public Inquiry Monday through her tears. "How do you explain to his step-children why their step-father is on the bridge?"

Albert Roy was sexually abused by probation officers Nelson Barque and Ken Seguin in the 1970s. Barque eventually pleaded guilty to the crimes and received four months in jail. Seguin committed suicide before any charges were laid against him.

Vicky Roy said she feels angry with what she considers to be the "slap on the hand" Barque received as a punishment, particularly in light of the lifelong suffering her husband has endured as a victim of abuse.

"He's afraid of men," Vicky Roy said. "He's even afraid to hug his own sons. Nobody will know how painful it is for Albert to shove away his family and his wife.

"He doesn't mean to hurt anybody. All of this has sent Albert away from his children and from his family."

Vicky Roy said the impact of abuse is not fully understood by professionals and she pointed to a conversation she says occurred between herself, her husband and an OPP officer during the investigation into the complaints against Barque.

The couple was being driven by the officer to the area where Barque lived so that Albert Roy could indicate the house where some of the abuse had taken place.

During the drive, Vicky Roy said she couldn't believe some of the things the police officer was saying.

"He was saying things like, 'How is Nelson's family and friends going to react to this,' and saying how it was possible Nelson would commit suicide the way Ken Seguin did," Vicky Roy recalled.

"He (the officer) also said, 'What's wrong with a little oral sex?' I was flabbergasted."

Vicky Roy said she's concerned many public institutions and members of the community don't fully comprehend the difficulties faced by people living as survivors of child sexual abuse.

She said she hopes the inquiry and recommendations made by the commission will prevent more children from being abused.

"Victims deserve to be treated like people," she said. "If it wasn't for this public inquiry, we would have nothing. We would still be running around, not knowing what to do."

The inquiry continues today when it's expected Vicky Roy's cross-examination will be completed.

Albert Roy is also expected to complete his cross-examination today as well.