SQLFusion - Jody Burgess Affidavit for Cornwall Inquiry application for standing and funding

Jody Burgess

Jody Burgess along with his brother Scott, sister Cindy and friend Jason Tyo was sexually molested by Jean Luc Leblanc, an employee of Cornwall's Transport Canada Training Insitute. Leblanc has since been charged and convicted twice and labelled a "dangerous offender" by the court.

18 February 2010: 11 busted in "Project Chase" drug bust

Media Coverage of Jody Burgess testimony at the Cornwall Public Inquiry

02 May 2008: Machismo kept police quiet: Payment

02 November 2006: Offers of money led to sexual abuse

Jody Burgess Afidavit

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 JODY BURGESS

I, JODY BURGESS, 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 1982, at the age of twelve, I was sexually abused by Jean-Luc Leblanc. This abuse continued for 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. As a victim, I felt persecuted not protected by the authorities. I felt belittled and re-victimized during the criminal proceedings against Jean-Luc Leblanc.

b. If I had received help in dealing with the consequences of my abuse, my life would have been different. I would not experience the difficulties with my mental state that I struggle with today.

Impact of the Abuse

5. As a result of this sexual abuse, I lost my childhood. I was unable to deal with the effects of the abuse and, as such, 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 in authority figures and institutions. This has resulted in difficulties with the law.

7. Because of the abuse, I have difficulties trusting others. I have developed problems in maintaining normal intimate relationships with others.

8. I spent most of my formative years in physical, mental and emotional turmoil. This has resulted in my having a fragile mental state and troubles with my memory in my adult life.

9. As a result of my inability to cope with the abuse, I had difficulties concentrating in school. Consequently, I dropped out of school after grade nine. Since that time, I have had problems maintaining gainful employment.

Failings of the Institutional Response

10. I verily believe that the city leaders of Cornwall have failed in their duty to the citizens and helpless victims of sexual crimes.

11. Despite the arrest and subsequent conviction of the perpetrator of this abuse, as a victim, I was never offered any counselling or support to help me deal with the effects of the abuse.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. Currently, I am not receiving any psychological help in dealing with the abuse that 1 suffered at the hands of Jean-Luc LeBlanc.

15. I verily believe that I require counselling and support to deal with the effects of the abuse. However, I am not confident that the resources available to me are adequate.

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 institutional 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 am currently receiving benefits from Ontario Works and working part-time inserting flyers in newspapers. I earn a total monthly income from all sources of $1,000.00. 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 City of Cornwall, in the United County of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, this 18th day of October, 2005.

A Commissioner, etc. Jody Burgess