SQLFusion - George Glaude Affidavit for standing and funding, Cornwall Inquiry

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 GEORGE GLAUDE

I, GEORGE GLAUDE, 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 (hereinafter referred to as "Victims Group") who was sexually abused in the Cornwall area.

2. In 1952, at the age of twelve, I was sexually abused by Brother Joseph and Brother Andre of St. Joseph's Training School. This abuse continued for almost two 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. I was sent to St. Joseph's Training School for rehabilitation due to my propensity for truancy. My time at St. Joseph's was detrimental to me as it was there that I learned how to fight, drink and hate authority of any kind.

b. The Province of Ontario did not offer me any counselling or support for the abuse that I endured while in their institution. Had intervention been offered, my life would have been very different. I would not have spent my adult life crippled with guilt and shame.

Impact of the Abuse

5. As a result of the abuse, I could not concentrate in school and dropped out after Grade 9.

6. I developed behavioural problems as I struggled to cope with my guilt and shame. I turned to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism and became addicted.

7. I was raised in a devout Catholic family. As a result of the abuse by a Catholic priest, I have lost total faith in my religion.

8. Due to my crippling emotional trauma and lack of education, until recently I have had great difficulty maintaining gainful employment.

9. I have an inability to trust others and, at times, cannot control my emotions and anger. At times I have become violent.

10. The lack of institutional response to the reports of abuse has strengthened my distrust in authority figures and institutions. This has led to difficulties with the law.

Failings of the Institutional Response

11. The Province of Ontario failed me in their attempt to rehabilitate me when they placed me in an institution where I was sexually abused and exposed to alcohol and violence.

12. When officials became aware of the abuses they did nothing to stop it or help me as a victim.

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.

Clinical Support

15. Currently, I am not receiving psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured at the hands of the Brothers.

16. I am currently not satisfied with the choices, or lack of, that are available to me. Many of the resources available are an out of pocket expense which I cannot afford.

17. I verily believe that victims of sexual abuse who struggle to deal with issues of trust should be able to seek individual counselling with qualified counsellors of their choosing.

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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

23. One of the devastating effects of my sexual abuse has been my inability to maintain gainful employment. As such, I am currently receiving benefits from Canada Pension Plan in the monthly amount of $1,080.00. 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

George Glaude