SQLFusion - Don Renshaw Affidavit for Cornwall Inquiry application for 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 A FUNDING FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE ABUSE

AFFIDAVIT OF DON RENSHAW

I, DON RENSHAW, in the Village of Cardinal , in the United County of Grenville , 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 1973, I was sexually abused by Ken Seguin, a parole officer with the Department of Corrections. This abuse continued for four 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. When other victims reported their abuse to the authorities, I saw how they were treated and this led to my distrust in the system.

b. Had I felt protected enough to seek the support of others in trying to cope with the effects of the abuse, my life would have been different. I would not have spent my adult life crippled with feelings of anxiety and depression.

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 alcohol to help me cope.

6. The abuse has left me in emotional, physical and mental turmoil, which has resulted in an inability to develop meaningful, intimate relationships.

7. My life is filled with feelings of isolation and despair.

8. 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.

Failings of the Institutional Response

9. Mr. Seguin was in a position of authority and control over my future, as he had an ability to affect my parole. He threatened me and, as such, I felt it was necessary to submit to his sexual advances. I feel that I was victimized by the institution rather than rehabilitated.

10. Because of my status as a parolee, the police did not give merit to the complaint I filed, and therefore failed to respond appropriately.

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. I am currently not receiving any psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured at the hands of Ken Seguin.

14. As a result of the abuse at the hand of a person in a position responsible for my counselling and rehabilitation, I have no trust or faith in the current services available for such treatment.

Standing

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. One of the devastating effects of my sexual abuse has been my inability to maintain gainful employment. I am currently employed as a truck driver. My income fluctuates and averages approximately $2000.00 net monthly. 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 7 day of November 2005.

LISA MANE COLLETTE
A Commissioner, etc DON RENSHAW
United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry,
for the Corporation of the City of Comwal.
Expires June 9, 2007