Fernand Vivarais

Fern Vivarais was sexually molested by Father Carl Stone

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 FERNAND VIVARAIS

I, FERNAND VIVARAIS, of the Town of Newington, Township of South 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 approximately 1958-59, while in Grade 7, I was sexually abused by Reverend Stone.

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.  If I had help in dealing with the consequences of my abuse earlier on, my life would have been very different. I would have felt less guilt and shame and would have been able to better cope with the effects of the abuse.

b.  The authorities have disbelieved the allegations made by the other victims and this has created distrust in the system.

Impact of the Abuse

5.  As a result of the abuse, I could not concentrate in school and was unable to complete my schooling beyond Grade 8. The abuse has left me emotionally traumatized. I have had difficulties getting and keeping gainful employment.

7.   The abuse has caused ongoing psychiatric problems that have required hospitalization.

8.  My feelings of despair have been so overwhelming that I have often thought about committing suicide.

9.  At night I experience nightmares just thinking about the abuse suffered by myself and my brother.

10.  I continue to feel dirty and ashamed and have become obsessed with washing myself. It has affected my life.

11.  Since the abuse and the failure of any form of institutional response, I have lost all trust in authority figures and institutions.

Failings of the Institutional Response

12.  When I see how other victims have been treated, I have great difficulty discussing it with anyone, as I cannot trust the authorities.

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 fulfil 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.

Clinical Support

15.  Currently, I am receiving limited psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured at the hands of Reverend Stone.

16.  I am currently satisfied with the level of support that I am receiving. However, I verily belief that there are other victims who need some type of support and cannot afford it,

17.  I verily believe that. I will continue to require psychological support and counselling to help me deal with the emotional trauma I have suffered as a result of the abuse.

Standing

18.  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.

19.  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.

20. 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.

21.  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.

22. One of the devastating effects of my sexual abuse has been my inability to maintain gainful employment. As such, I am currently receiving Workplace Safety and Insurance Board benefits and Canada Pension Plan in the monthly amount of $3,000.00. 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.                                    FERNAND VIVARAIS

 03 October 2007: Graphic testimony from witness