AFFIDAVIT OF STUART LABELLE

I, STUART LABELLE, 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 1989, at the age of fifteen, I was sexually abused by Jacques Leduc, a prominent Cornwall lawyer. 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 perspectives include the following:
 
a. When I reported my abuse by Jacques Leduc to the authorities they questioned my credibility and intimidated me. As a victim, I felt persecuted not protected by the authorities.

b. The support and counselling offered to help me deal with the effects of my abuse was too little too late. Had I received earlier intervention, my life would not have turned out so bleak.

Impact of they Abuse
5.  When the abuse that I suffered at the hands of Jacques Leduc became public knowledge, my family disintegrated.

6.  This sexual abuse has left me with poor self-esteem. I am constantly overwhelmed with feelings of depression.

7.  To help me cope, I have turned to alcohol and drugs.

8.  I have difficulties with social relationships and my relationship with my family has been seriously affected by the abuse.

 
9.  My life now is one filled with isolation and despair.
 
10.  Since the abuse and the failure of any form of insitutional reponse, I have lost trust in authority figures and institutions.

Failings of the Institutional Response

 11, Police officers came to my house to interview me as part of the Project Truth Investigation. I had company at the time. I was uncomfortable discussing such personal matters and due to my embarrassment, I was not helpful to the police at that time. The police have since questioned my credibility. I believe that they were extremely insensitive in attempting to question me about such delicate matters in front of others.

12.  The criminal charges against Jacques Leduc were dismissed due to Charter violations.

13.  I verily believe that the actions of the police, when I tried to bring charges against Leduc, were ones of intimidation. They acted in such a way that I felt persecuted rather than protected by the system.

14.  I am poorly educated and a low income wage-earner as a result of the abuse and, as such, the police have treated me poorly. They have questioned my credibility and have failed me as a victim.
 
15.  I believe that further details of my first hand experience as a victim dealing with the Lancaster OPP and Long Sault OPP 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.

16.  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

17.  I am currently receiving limited psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured at the hands of Jacques Leduc.

18.  I am somewhat satisfied with the level of support that I am receiving. However, I verily believe that the level of resources available to other victims of sexual abuse may not be all that they need.

19.  I verily belief 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.

20.  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.