A victim of violent sex crimes claims she has been in excruciating distress for days because her attacker was taken on parole to Quebec’s south coast, where she lives, before law enforcement officials corrected Tuesday’s shooting.
The lady, whose identity is subject to a publication ban, experienced horror in a marital context around 40 years ago.
After decades of trying to forget, she exposed her attacker and brought him to a conviction.
In 2021 he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault, among other things, and sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.
The victim was subjected to particularly brutal and degrading abuse: “Slapping, beating, involuntary masturbation up to and including rape with tools and under threat of a knife,” according to a document from the Parole Board of Canada.
On probation
This did not prevent the now 80-year-old criminal from receiving a one-day suspension in a temporary home last summer because of a risk of recidivism classified as “low”.
The victim’s life was turned upside down on January 13th. A Correctional Service Canada (CSC) worker told her her attacker was being transferred to her area because he needed medical attention, she said.
“It’s unthinkable, it’s absurd, it’s an unbelievable lack of judgement,” denounces the woman, who is still suffering from severe post-traumatic shock.
Anxiety, heightened alertness, insomnia…all his worst memories were revived. She no longer dared to leave her home for a simple walk for fear of meeting her attacker.
“Total panic, I have lost my bearings,” she sums up.
“I thought I was at peace, I still have to fight,” she chimes in.
Eventually moved to Montreal
In response to our questions Monday, a CSC spokesperson said he could not comment on this particular dossier for reasons of confidentiality, while ensuring that the federal agency was “taking the concerns of victims into account.”
However, on Tuesday, the day after the Journal called, the case was moved in favor of the victim.
“I was called earlier to say that we have found a place for the offender in Montreal and are transferring him today […] and that we apologize for the error that occurred,” she said.
She is relieved to have the impression that the system has not fulfilled its duty to protect.
“I was told there was nothing to do […] then suddenly the journalists shout, take steps [et] We suddenly found a place for him this morning,” she says.
She says she made the mistake of believing that the system would “automatically” ensure her safety by simply verbally, rather than writing, telling her attacker not to land in her area.
“I want us to raise a flag to protect the victims more,” she pleads.
Anti-Reconciliation Bracelet
She also wants the federal government in Quebec to follow suit and introduce the anti-reconciliation bracelet for penalties under its jurisdiction.
“Because there the victims want the attackers to get tougher sentences, but if they’re federal they come out and we can’t demand the bracelet.” That is nonsense!”
Finally, she believes that victims must continue to denounce their attackers, despite the pitfalls that can sometimes stand in their way.
“I don’t want to stop victims from filing complaints. On the contrary, if they knew the good, going all the way can do it to them. It may be difficult, but it is not true that not all perpetrators are punished,” concludes the courageous woman.
For its part, CSC responded by affirming that “victim considerations are of great importance in the correctional and parole systems” and that it “strives to treat each victim with compassion, justice and respect.”
The culprit in this case
- 80 years old
- Sentenced to four years and nine months in prison in February 2021 for crimes committed against two victims between 1977 and 1984
- Guilty of rape, sexual assault, gross indecency and indecent assault
- In August 2022, he was granted six-month probation on “pre-release” day with “recommended” parole privileges
Source: Parole Board of Canada decision
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