SQLFusion - Wilfred Lafave Cornwall Inquity application for 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 WILFRED LAFAVE

I, WILFRED LAFAVE, 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 who was sexually abused (hereinafter referred to as "Victims Group") in the Cornwall area.

2. In or about 1969, at the age of fifteen, I was sexually abused by Ken Seguin, a parole officer with the Department of Corrections. This abuse continued for approximately one year.

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. The perpetration of sexual abuse by a person entrusted with my counselling and rehabilitation led to my complete distrust in the system.

b. I believe that the nominal monetary offer made by the Province to settle my complaint was unjust. Furthermore, it was completely insensitive to the pain and loss of enjoyment of life that I have suffered.

Impact of the Abuse

5. As a result of this sexual abuse, I lost my childhood. I struggled to come to terms with what had happened and I turned to drugs and alcohol to help me cope.

6. My poor coping mechanisms resulted in my inability to concentrate and led to poor performance in school.

7. Since the abuse and the failure of any form of institutional response, I have lost trust in authority figures and institutions. I have developed problems in maintaining normal intimate relationships with others.

8. As a result of my inability to cope with the abuse, I have difficulties maintaining gainful employment.

9. The abuse has caused emotional, physical and mental turmoil, which has resulted in difficulties with the law.

10. Since the abuse I have struggled with low self-esteem.

11. As a result of the abuse, I frequently experience debilitating nightmares.

Failings of the Institutional Response

12. I verily believe that the other victims of sexual abuse were poorly treated by the Courts when their cases came to trial and as such, this has greatly discouraged me.

13. Due to my status as a parolee, the authorities questioned my credibility and have failed me as a victim.

14. The Province of Ontario offered me a nominal monetary settlement in exchange for a confidentiality agreement and release from my claim. I viewed this as a complete lack of compassion and insight into what I have endured as a victim.

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 1 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. I am currently not receiving any psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured at the hands of Ken Seguin.

18. The counselling that I require is currently unavailable to me.

19. As a result of the abuse at the hands of a person who was in a position responsible for my counselling and rehabilitation, I have no faith in the current services available for such treatment.

20. I verily believe that I require and will continue to require psychological support and counselling to help me deal with the emotionaltrauma I have suffered as a result of the abuse.

Standing

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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 receiving benefits from Ontario Disability Support Program in the monthly amount of $900.00. 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.

Wilfred Lafave