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	Sylvestre Report Released Victims Speak out to Save Kids from Sexual Abuse By Erica Bajer The Observer November 15, 2008 http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1298681 As victims of a pedophile priest they suffered in isolation.. Together, their courage to speak out is shining a light in the shadows of childhood sexual abuse by clergy. "We wanted justice for the broken little girls who lived inside of us and we felt a fierce protectiveness for the children of today," said Kelly-Anne Appleton during a media conference Friday to unveil a 114-page report surrounding the investigation and prosecution of pedophile priest Charles Sylvestre. Appleton, one of the 47 women abused as children by the late Sylvestre, said, "We wanted to save all children from the fate we had met." When coming forward to face their abuser the survivors had four goals -- validation, justice, an apology and prevention. Through the court system they found validation and justice as Sylvestre was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in 2006 to indecently assaulting 47 women over four decades during his post at churches in the diocese, including in Sarnia. Sylvestre died in early 2007. Bishop Ronald Fabbro, of the London Diocese, apologized for the failings of the church and its role in the victimization shortly after the priest pleaded guilty. The final goal came to fruition yesterday with the release of the long-awaited manual From Isolation to Action, Child Sexual Abuse by Clergy: Managing a Major Case R. vs Sylvestre. "This manual is our story, our struggles and our triumphs," Appleton said. "It is the chronicle of the journey of 47 women from scared little girls to strong women . . . from powerless to powerful." Chatham-Kent Crown Attorney Paul Bailey, who was instrumental in forming the From Isolation to Action (FITA) committee, said the booklet contains information on the successes and mistakes made throughout the handling of the case.. "It is our hope that it will serve as a best practices template," he said, noting copies will be sent to all the Crown attorneys in Ontario and bishops across the country. Bailey said the collaboration between the Ministry of the Attorney General, the Roman Catholic Diocese of London, survivors, the local victim/witness assistance program, Chatham Ursuline Sisters and sexual assault crisis centres in Chatham and Sarnia was unprecedented. Fabbro didn't attend yesterday's news conference, however, he sent a letter to be read publicly. "It is my sincere hope that this manual, so carefully and diligently crafted, will serve as an important resource and guide to other communities and dioceses facing the heartbreaking reality of child sexual abuse at the hands of clergy," he wrote. Survivor Anne Marie Posella, who worked with Appleton on the FITA committee, said there were ups and downs during the process. At one point, she said they left the committee as it became too painful to be a part of it as the project unfolded. "It felt to me as if the committee had come to the table to dissect clergy sexual abuse of children," she explained. "As the committee explored all the traumatic wounds inflicted by the criminal in question, I felt every probe and comment like a knife slicing through my already fragile emotional skin." She said after the initial shock of the two survivors' resignation from the committee, those at the table rallied and found a new direction for the project, and ultimately the development of the manual.
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