SQLFusion - Rene Lauzon 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 RENE LAUZON

I, RENE LAUZON, 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 1967 and until 1973, I was sexually abused by Father Charlie MacDonald, Bishop Eugene LaRocque and the principal of St. Columban School.

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 the Church should have known about the abuses committed by their priests they had a duty to stop the continual abuse of other young victims.

b. The Church did not offer me any counselling or support. Had intervention been offered, my life would have been very different. I would not have spent my entire life in crippling emotional turmoil.

c. I do not believe in the system. I felt persecuted and disbelieved during the investigation into this matter.

Impact of the Abuse

5. As a result of the abuse, I could not concentrate in school and as such, I dropped out after the eleventh grade.

6. I developed behavioural problems as I struggled to cope with my guilt and shame. I turned to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism and became addicted.

7. Because of the abuse, I find it difficult to trust others. As such, I am unable to develop intimate relationships with others.

8. As a result of the sexual abuse I will live with the consequences of the abuse against me for the rest of my life.

9. Due to my emotional trauma, lack of education and deteriorating physical condition, I have been rendered virtually unemployable.

10. Since the abuse and the failure of any form of institutional response, I have lost trust in authority figures and institutions. This had led to troubles with the law.

11. As a result of the abuse I have spent my life in physical, mental and emotional turmoil. I frequently struggle with feelings of depression, anxiety and anger.

Failings of the Institutional Response

12. When the Diocese became aware of the sexual abuse committed by their priests, they failed to take any action.

13. At no time have I ever been offered any psychological counselling or support by the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall to help me deal with the consequences of the abuse that I suffered.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. Currently, I am not receiving psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured. I have been placed on a waiting list for an assessment to determine my need for counselling.

17. I am currently not satisfied with the choices, or lack of, that are available to me.

18. 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.

19. I verily believe that I will require psychological support and counselling to help deal with the emotional trauma I have suffered as a result of the abuse.

Standing

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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

24. One of the devastating effects of my sexual abuse has been my inability to maintain gainful employment. I have been clinically diagnosed with depression. As such, I am currently eceiving benefits from Ontario Disability Support Program in the monthly amount of $1,300.00. 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 & Glengarry, this 18th day of October, 2005

A Commissioner, etc.
Rene Lauzon