Confidentiality integral part of ombudsman proposal

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

23 April 2008

Posted By Michael Peeling

An expert in dispute resolution presented a paper recommending the creation of an ombudsman for survivors of sexual violence Tuesday.

David Bennett, a lawyer and mediator, co-wrote the paper commissioned by the Cornwall Public Inquiry Phase 2 with David Lizoain to explain how the proposed ombudsman - someone who would hear complaints, look into them, determine if they are justified and attempt to find a resolution - would work.

Bennett said his experience as legal counsel for the Men's Project, the only support service in Ontario for male victims of sexual violence, has taught him a less adversarial approach to helping victims is more effective.

He said such an ombudsman should have credibility, be independent, but most importantly have staff who know what they are doing.

"In the context of sexual violence, it's important to have well-trained staff," Bennett said. "A common theme I see with survivors is the shared experience of getting the running around from authorities."

The type of ombudsman he recommended would be a first-line worker available to victims who is capable of empathy, not an inaccessible bureaucrat.

Confidentiality is a major factor to be considered because, Bennett said, as it stands only the Ombudsman Ontario's office "can provide full confidentiality to a complainant." Bennett discussed the scenario of setting up an ombudsman for survivors of sexual violence under Ombudsman Ontario because it has strong legislative power behind it, but currently is not able to investigate sexual abuse complaints.

Visit www.cornwallpublicinquiry.ca for the full report.

Article ID# 997401

Comments on this Article.

Well, well, well! And another well as well so y'all can tell those two guys David Bennett and and David Lizoain that this DAVID MARK WITZEL

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By armagedon,

wHOOPS, I hit the enter instead of Shift.

Well, well, well! And another well as well so y'all can tell those two guys David Bennett and and David Lizoain that this DAVID MARK WITZEL hereby applies for the job of Ombudsman. And just for everybody's knowledge, The Men's Project is NOT the only support service for men and they should know that themselves as some of their people have talked with a man by the name of JIM HALL who runs several groups at the Shoniker Building that is both attached and supported by the Scarboro Centenary Hospital.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By armagedon,

Well, since I had a talk with Mr. Jim Hall this evening at the group that I've been going to for 3 years that is for Adult Male Victims of Childhood Sexual and Physical abuse, it came as quite a surprise to Jim and ALL of us that DAVID BENNETT and DAVID LIZOAIN stated that the "Men's Project" was the ONLY support service for male victims of sexual violence. Maybe Michael Peeling should check his facts BEFORE he writes his column as if he had have "googled" for groups, he would have found more than ONE! Sadly, that's very indictive of this rag! If this BENNETT guy was or is the lawyer for that group, he is either sadly mistaken, knows less than he thinks he knows or I would allege it's an out and out falsehood regarding the "Men's Project" being the ONLY group that helps male victims! As for this so-called Ombudsman,as the article states and I quote:" David Bennett, a lawyer and mediator, co-wrote the paper commissioned by the Cornwall Public Inquiry Phase 2 with David Lizoain to explain how the proposed ombudsman - someone who would hear complaints, look into them, determine if they are justified and attempt to find a resolution - would work." Well let ME tell you how it would work, IT WOULDN'T, just like the Inquiry!!! The reason for that is this, "they could HEAR complaints", "LOOK into them", "DETERMINE if they are justified" and "ATTEMPT to find a resolution. So the ombudsman would "hear, look, determine and ATTEMPT" and NOWHERE does it state that the Ombudsman would have "Over-site" powers to either discipline the abuser at all with the exception that they could ATTEMPT to find a resolution. What if they don't or can't find a resolution, without over-site and teeth for the Ombudsmans office you're just wasting your time and providing a make-work project for somebody or another or lawyers are getting rich as they are at the Inquiry and nothing gets done and the abuser might well walk. So I would suggest that this Ombudsman thingee this Phase 2 is talking about is just another in a long line of "snow jobs" that seem to go on in regards to this Inquiry.

MICHAEL PEELING, talk to this BENNETT and then talk to the leader of the "Men's Project" and see if and how well they know Mr. Jim Hall and the work he does. I haven't heard of the "Men's Project" being asked time and time again to come up to Iquilut or Greenland or the Arctic Circle to help Aboriginal Male Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual and Physical Abuse but yet not only does JIM HALL do that but he has also authored a book as well as a CD on abuse. SO TO SET THE FACTS STRAIGHT MR. PEELING, GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT THE NEXT TIME YOU WRITE AN ARTICLE AND.....THE "MEN'S PROJECT" IS NOT THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN ONTARIO. As a matter of fact, there are in fact MANY such groups and not just the ONE that BENNETT stated. And like I said before, I would make a good Ombudsman if that position were given the "over-site" powers to punish rather than ATTEMPT to find a resolution. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THE SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE AS I AND MANY OTHERS ARE,YOU'D WANT TO SEE THE ABUSERS PUNISHED. And Mr. Bennett, I think if you check out the Ontario Ombudsman's Office, you will find that in certain cases they CAN get involved in sexual abuse complaints dependent upon what agency of service is involved, but however, the Ombudsman CANNOT investigate ANYTHING to do with the CAS's or CCAS's. So if there's anything else I can straighten you out on Mr. Peeling, you have my e-mail address or you can ask your boss Adolph and he can give it to you and you're welcome. Ta, ta for now!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #3 By armagedon