By Greg Peerenboom
Standard Freeholder
December 15, 2009
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2222475
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| Justice Normand Glaude makes a statement following the release of the final report for the Cornwall Public Inquiry, Tuesday. |
Inquiry report released after years of testimony
CORNWALL — Commissioner Normand Glaude urged the provincial government to adopt various measures designed to help prevent and report historical sex abuse and counsel victims, especially boys and young men.
Glaude's long-awaited report on institutional response to claims of sexual abuse was handed down Tuesday morning.
Glaude did not take questions but delivered an hour-long-plus statement, which put an end to the $56-million Cornwall Public Inquiry, which heard from 180 witnesses between February 2006 and January 2009.
Glaude faulted local institutions which rely on provincial legislation — police, Children's Aid Society — and the Catholic church — for their response to sex abuse allegations against their members.
"Institutional responses failed to serve the interests of justice and the goal of protecting the vulnerable against abuse," he said.
He said the root of the failure was "systemic" and showed that policies and procedures were inadequate.
"For some, this resulted in revictimization by the institution from whom they sought help . . . and a further source of harm."
Making matters worse, when administrators were confronted by employees' misconduct, covering up to avoid public humilation was more important than dealing with victims.
Institutions even deepened their morass by not facing up to their mistakes publicly, "fearing scandal and criticism" more than admitting they broke the public trust by hurting the vulnerable.
The aftermath of their decision resulted in widespread speculation of victims' alternative motives and institutional responses to them.
Media coverage fed on these circumstance, and Glaude criticized the coverage for creating more damaging rumours, which could have been lessened with better journalism techniques.
He also criticized past provincial governments for not providing the tools for institutionals to rely on.
He even addressed the recent decision by the province to stop counselling services based on individual choice before he completed his report, calling it "an unwelcome echo of the institutional failures that us here today."
Amid his critique, Glaude offered an ambigeous opinion on whistle-blowing cop Perry Dunlop's claim of a local pedophile ring.
Glaude clarified it was not the role of Project Truth to investigate whether a ring or clan existed — opposite of the public's perception.
Individual sex abuses cases were probed "seriously" but was not made to verify Dunlop and other's assertions.
He said the OPP concluded there was no ring, but "since they did not investigate this, they could not have reasonably come to his conclusion.
"This does not mean that I find there was a ring of pedophiles.
"It is not my role to make such a finding. But I do not find that no investigation provided conclusive evidence on this point."
As for Dunlop, who would eventually be jailed for refusing not to testify at the inquiry, Glaude said his role was "a mixed legacy" in the revelation and prosecution of historical abuse.
"I have been asked to find that Perry Dunlop is a hero. And that he is a victim. I do neither."
Despite the negative connotations spawned by the abuse claims, Glaude said the city and area "is not eclipsed by the dark cloud of scandal.
"It is a community where the work of healing and reconcilation has started and where there are people of good intentions and sensitivity who are involved and eager to keep going."
He said with new institutional changes and a plan "Cornwall will be a beacon of hope for other communities."
The minister in charge of the Attorney General ministry, which foot the inquiry's huge bill, defended the cost.
"It was important for the victims . . . to have (this issue) receive a complete and full hearing," said Attorney General Chris Bentley.
"It's a very extensive report," said Bentley, explaining the need for the ministry to "actively review" its contents before embracing or ditching the recommendations.
"Having just received the recommendations, we don't know when that will be," he said.
Bentley did not promise direct consultation when the ministry's intentions are ready "when (Glaude) already did that" (during the inquiry hearings).
He said improvements will probably not be required through new laws, but rather revamped programs that serve victims and policies that shape institutions' "approach" to the issue.
Contact: gpeerenboom@standard-freeholder.com
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