C-10

Affidavit

Media Coverage

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 [publication ban on name – the moniker C-10 is used to identify the victim]

 (There are several serious factual errors in this affidavit which were publicly brought to light 29 March 2007 when C-10 took the stand to testify at the Cornwall Public Inquiry.  It seems these errors were noticed by C-10 and others for the first time a few days before he was scheduled to testify.  The affidavit with C-10’s full name had been posted on the Cornwall Public Inquiry web site for well over a year. C-10 testified that he signed the document but didn’t read it through.   I have interspersed C-10’s testimony from 29 March 2007 regarding the errors in the transcript.  It is indented and in red) 

I, [C-10], of the Village of Monkland, in the Township of North 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 1962 and until 1972, I was sexually abused by Ken Seguin, Father Scott, Father Charlie MacDonald, Malcolm MacDonald and Carl Allen.

 MR. DUMAIS (inquiry lawyer): And then the third name we see there is Father Charlie MacDonald. Is he one of your perpetrators? 

C-10: No. 

MR. DUMAIS: He is not? 

C-10: No. 

MR. DUMAIS: And you never told anyone or said to anyone that he was? 

C-10: No, I didn’t  

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.  I feel that the OPP investigation did not go into enough depth. They did not effectively seek out information from the victims of sexual abuse that had come forward. In fact, in my dealings with the OPP I felt persecuted and re victimized.

 Mr. Dumais: ...So what about the conclusion, or assertion, that you felt persecuted by the O.P.P.? 

C-10: I didn’t feel persecuted.  

b.  A civil action resulted from the sexual abuse I suffered. I felt betrayed by the outcome in that, although a monetary sum was settled upon, no humanitarian efforts were made on the part of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall in terms of offering counselling or support for what would be an ongoing struggle with the effects of the abuse.

 MR. DUMAIS: Now my understanding, sir, is that there was never a civil action against the Diocese. Is that correct? 

C-10: That’s correct. ....... 

MR. DUMAIS: ... And although there is an allegation that you made ... against a priest [Don Scott], you’re not aware of -- that the Diocese would have been told about this allegation, or this alleged allegation? 

C-10: No, I’m not.  

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.

7  Due to my inability to cope, I often struggle with feelings of depression and find myself overwhelmed with suicidal thoughts and feelings.

8.   As a result of the abuse I live in emotional, physical and mental turmoil, which has resulted in an inability to develop meaningful, intimate relationships.

9.   Since the abuse and the failure of any form of institutional response, I have lost trust in authority figures and institutions. This has resulted in difficulties with the law.

10.  My poor coping mechanisms have resulted in difficulties maintaining gainful employment.

 Failings of the Institutional Response 

11.   At no time have I ever been offered any psychological counselling or support by the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall to help me deal with the consequences of the abuse that I suffered at the hands of Father Gilles Deslauriers.

 C-10: I’ve never even heard of his [Father Gilles Deslaurier’s] name. 

MR. DUMAIS: So you –– you never heard of his name. 

C-10: No. 

MR. DUMAIS: Never had any dealings with him --- 

C-10: No. 

MR. DUMAIS: --- directly? 

C-10: No. 

MR. DUMAIS: All right. And, certainly, when you went through the affidavit on that day, you did not see that his name appeared there. 

C-10: I didn’t read that far; I didn’t even -- I just looked at it and signed it, and I shouldn’t have, I guess.  

12.   Despite discovering numerous potential victims, the OPP failed in its investigation into the problem of sexual abuse in the Cornwall area. I verily believe that their failure was, in part, due to their failure to lend credibility to these potential victims and our complaints.

13.   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.

14.   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.

15.  I am currently not receiving any psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured.

16.  I verily believe that I require counselling. I am unable to receive that counselling I so desperately require because I do not have the personal means to fund this treatment.

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.

 MR. Dumais: At the time of the signing of the affidavit, sir, you had settled your civil actions –– is that –– the ones that were ongoing? 

C-10: That’s correct. 

MR. DUMAIS: And, as well, you had settled I believe, one or two of your criminal injuries compensation claim. 

C-10: That’s correct. 

MR. DUMAIS: All right. 

THE COMMISSIONER: Were there anything ––was there anything outstanding at this point? 

MR. DUMAIS: There were no outstanding proceeding as of that date. Is that --- 

C-10: No, there wasn’t. 

THE COMMISSIONER: So has everything been finished or is there still a potential for civil actions? 

C-10: No. I never dealt with the Catholic Church. 

THE COMMISSIONER: Pardon me. 

C-10: There was never any civil action against the church. 

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 sexual abuse cases than the victims themselves.

21.  One of the devastating effects of my sexual abuse has been my inability to maintain gainful employment. I have been clinically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. As such, I am currently receiving benefits from Ontario Disability Support Program and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board in the monthly amount of $989.00. This is my only source of income. Therefore, in order to participate and be adequately represented at the Cornwall Inquiry I require that Ledroit 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.

 02 April 2007: Inquiry witness says lawyer too rough

30 March 2007: Witness says he's tired of pointing the finger of blame at others 

30 March 2007: Lawyers battling innuendo 

30 March 2007: Focus on truth at Cornwall inquiry: Sworn statements in doubt as false statements found (access link via The Inquiry)

29 March 2007: False statements at Project Truth inquiry: Errors in "victim" transcripts call credibility in to question