SQLFusion - Rejean Vivarais Affidavit for Cornwall Inquiry 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 REJEAN VIVARAIS

I, REJEAN VIVARAIS, 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 1957, at the approximate age of fourteen, I was sexually abused by Reverend Meunier. This abuse lasted for six months.

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. When I reported my abuse to another priest, the Catholic Church was or ought to have been made aware of my allegations. They did nothing to stop the harm caused by Father Meunier.

b. When the Church knew or ought to have known about the abuse, they did not offer me any counselling or support. If they had, my life would have been completely different. I would have felt less ostracized from the Church and my family.

Impact of the Abuse

5. My family members were devout Catholics and as a result of this abuse, I have lost my faith in the Catholic Church hierarchy.

6. The abuse suffered at such a young age has resulted in difficulties with my nerves, I also have trouble sleeping.

7. The abuse has left me emotionally traumatized. I have had difficulties maintaining gainful employment.

8. My ability to cope has been non-existent and I have not received any psychological support. Instead, I turned to alcohol and have abused it.

9. 1 cannot trust others and this has led to strained relationships with family and friends. Since the abuse and failure of any form of institutional response, I have also lost trust in authority figures and institutions.

Failings of the institutional Response

10. In confession I told another priest of the abuse suffered at the hands of Father Meunier but the Catholic Church did nothing about it and did not offer me help in any way

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Currently, I am receiving counselling from a peer group to help deal with the abuse that I endured at the hands of Reverend Meunier.

14. However, I am not satisfied with the level of support that I am receiving. I verily belief that many of the other victims of sexual abuse also do not have adequate resources to help them.

15. Due to our issues with trust, I verily believe that, as victims, we should be able to seek the help that we need from various resources.

16. 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

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.

21. One of the devastating effects of my sexual abuse has been my inability to maintain gainful employment. I have been clinically diagnosed with extreme anxiety and sleep disorder. As such, I am currently receiving benefits from Ontario Disability Support Program in the monthly amount of $817.00. 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 Cityof Cornwall, in the United County of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, this 18th day of October, 2005

A Commissioner, etc. REJEAN VIVARAIS