SQLFusion - Pedophile clan rumours spread in era of ignorance

Pedophile clan rumours spread in "era of ignorance": lawyer Submissions continue at Cornwall Public Inquiry

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

26 February 2009

An “era of ignorance” allowed rumours to spread throughout Cornwall that a clan of pedophiles was sexually abusing children, a church lawyer argued today.

David Sherriff-Scott told the Cornwall Public Inquiry there was no evidence to suggest Cornwall's rate of historical sexual abuse was any different from other communities in Ontario or Canada.

“What was different, however, was how certain people in the media, as well as the public, reacted to what unfolded in an era that was an era of ignorance of the issues,” he said.

Thursday was the fourth day of submissions at the inquiry, which is examining how institutions like the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese responded to sexual abuse allegations.

Cornwall's residents were polarized, either wholeheartedly believing the clan story or denying it outright, said Sherriff-Scott. So too were the local media, which descended into “rumour and conjecture,” he said.

Ultimately, the public was “ill-equipped” to properly understand what was going on, said Sherriff-Scott.

“The result was that many innocent people were badly harmed. Real victims were badly harmed, and the entire community's self-image was badly damaged,” he said.

John Callaghan, an attorney for the Cornwall police, urged inquiry commissioner Normand Glaude to not only state the clan allegations were false, but to specifically identify the people who spread the falsehoods.

“It's important because the conspiracy theorists will never die,” he said. “Long after you leave town the bloggers, the gossip hounds, will continue to gather behind some grassy knoll in Cornwall.”

Callaghan said for 15 years, local police officers “quietly endured” the allegations that they intentionally botched investigations, hoping one day the truth would come out.

Although a four-year investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police resulted in more than 100 charges against 15 men, police never uncovered evidence of an organized clan.

Article ID# 1453802
Comments on this Article.
How interesting. This lawyer "assumes" that the people of Cornwall are all idiots with no intellect or education and cannot sort out fact from fiction based on the evidence. The evidence does soundly indicate there were coverups. There were charges. It is unfortunate that most of the men in the center of the abuse issues have died. Or perhaps fortunate for them, who knows. But the men that did the abuse were linked and had a relationship. Isn't it about time that all parties accept responsibility for what happened and that they learn how to proceed from this and go on to a healthier, healing environment for all concerned. One way to hasten healing is to make an apology and an acceptance of some portion of blame. With a degree in Sociiology/Criminology, as well as several other diplomas, and a native of Cornwall, we are not all country bumpkins
Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By majekin

It does not surprise me that a lawyer would think that little of the people of cornwall. Amen to you majekin. And we are to believe there never was any cover up because of course we are all Idiots from cornwall.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By dodger,

Funny how the OPP had to come in and reinvestigate to get any charges laid why is that if they did not botch or plain old ignore the problem.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #3 By dodger,

Hey boys you do realize that they are talking about all of us not just the conspiracy theorists he just called us ignorant cornwall folks.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #4 By dodger

No an "era of ginrence" allowed rumours to spread. Besides now he confirms some of what you have been saying all along and now he is the bad guy??

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #5 By itinerant,

You really are a piece of work aren't you.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #6 By dodger,

Reading the media the past few days as these submissions are read???

Cornwalites are ALL ignorant ****phobes!!!

That's what they're saying!!!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #7 By RealityChecker,

oh....I see you can't use the word h-o-m-o in these threads. HA!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #8 By RealityChecker,

So this lawyer David Sherriff-Scott is an expert on everything all of a sudden man he should have done the investigation of everything there would be no need for an inquiry or any of the stuff that went on because every one of the pedophiles would be convicted by now. David Sherriff-Scott my hero!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #9 By dodger

We are not h o m o phobes just people that realize that a bunch of pedophiles who preferred male children as victims were involved.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #10 By dodger

Of course pedophiles that are involved in lurinbg children on the internet are not organized.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #11 By dodger

And when I say pedophile I mean any adult that targets children whether male or female they are still pedophiles.

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #12 By dodger,

what am I a piece of work at this time dodger. He did confirms some of what you have been saying all along.

as for a organized ring, no not all of them are. To assume is not a good idea as the lesser know people will slip trhough

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #13 By itinerant,

This is so very sick!!!!

I do believe a clan exsisted!!!!!!1 and it affected many peoples lives even the innocent!!

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #14 By bagel,

Yeh right, and "THE COW JUMPED OVER THE MOON!"

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #15 By booga-booga,