Testifying at inquiry can often bring pain similar to abuse itself 

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

Terri Saunders 

Friday, February 02, 2007 - 10:00 

Local News - A renowned child sexual abuse expert said he's surprised more victims haven't stormed out of the Cornwall Public Inquiry as a witness did Thursday morning. 

"I'm not surprised it happened," said David Wolfe, a professor at the University of Toronto. "I'm surprised it hasn't happened more frequently, actually." 

Wolfe is no stranger to the inquiry. He testified before the commission in February 2006 about the effects of child sexual abuse and he spoke about how it can make it difficult for a victim to take part in something like a public inquiry. 

"This is very common and it's called post traumatic stress disorder," said Wolfe Thursday. "Other people wouldn't appreciate how traumatic abuse is if it hasn't happened to them."

Wolfe said when a victim is being questioned about the abuse, particularly in a court setting, they're going through the worst times of their lives second only to have suffered through the abuse itself. 

"Memories flood back and they feel like they're reliving the experience," he said. "Anxiety can be tough to control."

Wolfe said the process is difficult and takes its toll on witnesses. He said he wouldn't be surprised if future witnesses are giving a second thought to testifying after watching another witness go through such a difficult time on the stand.

"They may be affected by this," he said. "They may want to come forward but they don't want to be revictimized. 

"A lot of victims end up saying they wished they'd never reported the abuse. It's a horrible situation, but this is an important inquiry and it has to happen."