SQLFusion - Scott Burgess Affidavit for Cornwall Inquiry application for standing and funding

Scott Burgess

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Scott Burgess 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 SCOTT BURGESS

I, SCOTT BURGESS, of the Town of Ingersoll, in the County of Oxford, 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 1982, at the age of nine, I was sexually abused by Jean-Luc Leblanc. This abuse continued for two 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 perspectives include the following:

a. When Jean-Luc Leblanc was brought to justice the sentence imposed on him was too lenient. I feel that the punishment he received pales in comparison to the ruin he effected in my life and the lives of others. The justice system failed me as a victim.

b. I received no offer of support and counselling to help me deal with the effects of my abuse. Had I received any intervention, my life would not have turned out so bleak.

Impact of the Abuse

5. As a result of the abuse, I lost my childhood. I suffered a debilitating loss of the enjoyment of my life.

6. This sexual abuse has left me with poor self-esteem. I am constantly overwhelmed with feelings of depression.

7. I have difficulties with social relationships and my relationship with my family has been seriously affected by the abuse.

8. Since the abuse and the failure of any form of institutional response, I have lost trust in authority figures and institutions. This has resulted in difficulties with the law.

9. The abuse rendered me unable to cope. I could not concentrate in my academic endeavours and therefore dropped out after grade nine.

10. The abuse has left me with a lack of trust and general paranoia toward humanity. I find myself ridden with feelings of anxiety and fear that the same things may happen to my own children.

11. As a result of the abuse I have spent my life in physical, mental and emotional turmoil. I frequently experience nightmares and flashbacks.

Failings of the Institutional Response

12. The sentence imposed on Jean-Luc Leblanc was far too lenient considering the turmoil his actions caused in my life.

13. I verily believe that the actions of the police, when I tried to bring charges against Leblanc, were ones of intimidation. They acted in such a way that I felt persecuted rather than protected by the system.

14. Despite knowledge of the abuse, I have never been offered counselling or support in my efforts to rehabilitate from the effects of the abuse.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. Currently, I am not receiving psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured at the hands of Jean-Luc Leblanc.

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 require psychological support and counselling to help me deal with the emotional trauma I have suffered as a result of the abuse. However, I have been unsuccessful in my endeavours to secure such treatment.

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. My present income in total is $ 1406.00 net monthly from WSIB. I am a low-income wage earner and 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 Town of Ingersoll, in the County of Oxford this 2nd day of November 2005.

A Commissioner etc.,
County of Middlesex, for Ledroit Beckett, Barristers and Solicitors,
Expires October 11, 2005

Laurentina Maria Santos Scott Burgess