SQLFusion - Ron Glaude Affidavit

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 RONALD GLAUDE

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

2. In 1975, at the age of fifteen, I was sexually abused by Ken Seguin, a parole officer with the Department of Corrections. This abuse continued for ten to eleven 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. The perpetration of sexual abuse by a person entrusted with my counselling and rehabilitation led to my complete distrust in the system.

b. I feel cheated out of life. If I had received help in dealing with the consequences of my abuse earlier on, my life would have been different.

Impact of the Abuse

5. As a result of this sexual abuse, I lost my childhood.

6. Since the abuse and the failure of any form of institutional response, I have lost trust and respect for authority figures and institutions. This has led to difficulties with the law.

7. Since the abuse I have struggled with low self-esteem. As a result, I have turned down good opportunities to better myself in life.

8. Ken Seguin introduced me to alcohol and drugs. It has been difficult to control my subsequent abuse of alcohol and drugs.

Failings of the Institutional Response

9. I have 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. I am currently receiving limited psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured at the hands of Ken Seguin.

13. Currently, I am not satisfied with the level of support I am receiving. I believe that there are not enough staff and resources available to help the victims of sexual abuse deal with its devastating effects.

14. 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.

Standing

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. One of the devastating effects of my sexual abuse has been my inability to maintain gainful employment. I am currently self -employed as a mechanic and earn a monthly income of approximately $2,000.00. 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 the City of Cornwall, in the United County of Stormont, Dunces & Glengarry, this 18th day of October, 2005

A Commissioner, etc.

Ronald Glaude