SQLFusion - Marc DeMontigney Affidavit for Cornwall Inquiry standing and funding

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 MARC DEMONTIGNY

I, MARC DEMONTIGNY, of the City of Cornwall, 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, I was sexually abused by Ken Seguin and Nelson Baroque. This abuse continued for approximately seven 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. The perpetration of sexual abuse by a person entrusted with my counselling and rehabilitation led to my complete distrust in the system.

b. Had I received the intervention that I required, rather than being abused, my life today would be vastly different.

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. Since the abuse and the failure of any form of institutional response, I have lost trust and respect for authority figures and institutions. This has led to difficulties with the law. Since the abuse, I have struggled with feelings of depression, fear and anxiety. I also have frequent suicidal thoughts and feelings.

8. As a result of the abuse, I live in emotional, physical and mental turmoil. I have difficulties engaging in social activities and this has resulted in an inability to develop meaningful, intimate relationships.

Failings of the Institutional Response

9. The system failed me. The support offered for my rehabilitation was provided by pedophiles and sexual deviants.

10. 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 believe that these victims were called liars by those in authority. I have lost complete faith in the judicial system.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Currently, I am not receiving any psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured at the hands of Ken Seguin and Nelson Baroque.

14. As a result of the abuse perpetrated on me at the hands of someone entrusted with my rehabilitation and support, I do not trust the services available to me at this time.

15. I verily believe that I will need counselling in the future and for the rest of my life.

Standing

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

19. 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

20. One of the devastating effects of my sexual abuse has been my inability to maintain gainful employment. I have been clinically diagnosed with suicidal tendencies. As such, I am currently receiving a disability pension in the monthly amount of $1,200.00. 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 I8th day of October, 2O05

A Commissioner, etc Marc DeMontigney