Abuse victim says he was counselled to lie

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 10:00

Local News - By Terri Saunders

A witness at the Cornwall Public Inquiry said Tuesday he was counselled by a member of The Victims Group to lie about his contact with former city cop Perry Dunlop.

Albert Roy said he received a phone call late one night about a week ago from Steve Parisien, a member of The Victims Group expected to testify at some point during the inquiry.

Roy said Parisien offered him advice as to how he could handle questions being put to him about his contact with Dunlop.

"He (Parisien) said I didn't have to tell the truth," said Roy. "He said I could have memory lapses; that I didn't have to answer their questions."

Roy has said he spoke with Dunlop in regards to a potential civil suit related to sexual abuse Roy suffered at the hands of two probation officers in the 1970s.

Following Roy's testimony Tuesday, Parisien denied Roy's recollection of the telephone conversation.

"I didn't counsel him in any way," said Parisien. "It's clear to me there has been a big misunderstanding. I don't know how it got so blown out of proportion."

The inquiry is continuing.