SQLFusion - John Papineau Affidavit for Cornwall Inquiry application for standing and funding

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 JOHN PAPINEAU

I, JOHN PAPINEAU, 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 1980, at the age of sixteen, I was sexually abused by Ken Seguin, a parole officer with the Department of Corrections. This abuse continued for eight 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. Had I received early, or any, intervention in trying to cope with the effects of my abuse, my life would have been very different.

b. When I reported the abuse to Darcy Dupuis, a police officer, I was not believed. As a victim of abuse, I felt persecuted not protected by the authorities.

Impact of the Abuse

5. As a result of this sexual abuse, I lost my childhood. I struggled to come to terms with what had happened and I turned to drugs and alcohol to help me cope.

6. My poor coping mechanisms resulted in my inability to concentrate, and I dropped out of school.

7. As a result of the abuse, I spent most of my formative years in physical, mental and emotional turmoil which resulted in difficulties with the law.

8. Since the abuse and the failure of any form of institutional response, I have lost trust in authority figures and institutions. This has led to a general paranoia and lack of trust in humanity.

Failings of the Institutional Response

9. I verily believe that the other victims of sexual abuse were poorly treated by the Courts when their cases came to trial and, as such, this has greatly discouraged me. I believe these victims were called liars by those in authority. I have lost complete faith in the judicial system.

10. Since I was abused by Ken Seguin for such an extended period of time, I approached a police officer, Darcy Dupuis, and reported the abuse to him and I was dismissed.

11. At no time have I ever been offered any psychological counselling or support by the Department of Corrections, or any representative of the Province of Ontario to help me deal with the consequences of the abuse that I suffered at the hands of its employee, Ken Seguin.

12. I encountered difficulties with the law as a result of my inability to cope with the abuse and, as such, the police have treated me poorly. They have questioned my credibility and have failed 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. I am currently not receiving any psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured at the hands of Ken Seguin.

16. As a result of the abuse at the hands of a person in the responsible position of providing counselling and rehabilitation, I have no faith in the current services available for such treatment.

Standing

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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 the National Child Benefit Supplement and Family Benefits Allowance in the total monthly amount of $700.00. 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 & Glen arty, this 18th day of OCTOBER, 2005.

A Commissioner, etc. John Papineau