a. The Province of Ontario did not offer me any counselling or support for the abuse that I endured at the hands of their employee. Had intervention been offered, my life would have been very different. I would not have spent my adult life crippled with guilt and shame.

b. I do not believe in the system. I felt betrayed and re-victimized by the civil proceedings in this matter.

Impact of the Abuse

5. As a result of the abuse, I could not concentrate in school. This led to poor educational performance.

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

7. I have been psychologically scarred as a result of the abuse. I have lost my enjoyment of life. I frequently experience feelings of depression and anxiety.

8. I have lost my faith and trust in the goodness of humanity. As such I find it difficult to develop intimate relationships with others.

FaiIings of the Institutional Response

9. The Province of Ontario failed me in their attempt to rehabilitate me when they placed me in an institution where I was sexually abused and exposed to alcohol and violence.

10. I feel betrayed by the system. When officials became aware of the abuses they did nothing to stop it or help me as a victim.

11. 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.

12.  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

13. Currently, I am not receiving psychological help in dealing with the abuse that I endured.

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

15. I verily believe 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.

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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. 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

20. One of the devastating effects of my sexual abuse has been my inability to maintain gainful employment. As such, I am currently receiving benefits from Ontario Disability Support Program and Canada Pension Plan in the monthly amount of $1,400.00. 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

                                        Jacques Lauzon