The Ottawa brothers who had been victims of incest agreed to release their names

The removal of the publication ban in an incest case is notably rare and can only occur if a victim initiated it. The Lepage siblings said they fought to make their case public because they did not want the trauma they suffered at the hands of their mother to remain in the dark.

Julie Menard, a former school bus driver from Ottawa, was sentenced to 10 years in prison at the end of April. Jonathan, who is protecting his brother from some of the same abuse he suffered as a child, is hoping to be sentenced to 25-years to life. She now accepts that her and her brother’s name is associated with the abuse they suffered.

I don’t need protectionsaid the 35-year-old. My brother Shawn doesn’t need protection. We discussed this and decided that all publication bans being done today were to protect Julie. This prevents our mother from being exposed.

Legal problems in 2017

Court documents detail a series of sexual abuses, which often involve a scenario in which Mrs Menard called her son to siesta timebut Jonathan knew what was expected of him.

According to her, her mother told her that such sexual activities were normal between a mother and her child, but after having sex with her when she was 15, she felt that things were not right. .

We went down to the living room and I was just hithe recalled.

Julie Menard’s actions may never have been known if not for Jonathan’s run-ins to the law in 2017, when she was indicted and jailed following her divorce.

While conducting his own trial, Jonathan spoke with a probation officer about the abuse he had suffered and courthouse staff offered to help him.

Other potential victims

Jonathan wanted to make his mother’s name public so that the truth would spread widely, but also because of the job he had held for many years.

He had close relationships with many students whose names I do not know.his confession. Honestly, if something happens, other potential victims may not know who to tell..

Currently there is no additional charge for Ms. Menard. In a courtroom in Ottawa on Friday, Crown Attorney Moiz Karimjee warned the brothers that there would be no going back once the ban was lifted.

Julie Menard, for her part, is opposed to removing the ban, which is usually put in place to protect victims rather than the accused.

Reveal the truth to help others

Shawn Lepage, 34, also spoke in court on Friday in favor of removing the ban.

Personally, I feel these conversations may be needed to help others with their situation.he told the court.

According to court documents, Shawn did not experience the same abuse as his brother, but he testified on multiple instances of physical abuse from the age of three, including severe bruising from his mother’s beating.

Jonathan remembers that he was between seven and nine years old when he first stood up for his younger brother. She decides to intervene when her mother invites Shawn to receive sexual touching.

At that moment, something entered my mind. I thought, ‘no, my brother can’t go through this either’he recalled.

The judge praised the courage of the Lepage brothers

Said Jonathan refresh and refresh his experience will not be easy, but he accepts this burden to inspire other potential victims. If it encourages them to keep going, that’s wonderful.he estimated.

In court on Friday, Ontario Superior Court Judge Kevin Phillips also told the siblings they had victimized in the most despicable way while accepting the fact that they are motivated by a desire to help others.

” You explain the kind of wrongdoing that happens in private so that other people who are going through bad things don’t feel alone and helpless. “

It is hoped that by the straightforward and open way in which you choose to navigate your unfortunate circumstances, you will better meet your experience.conclusion by Judge Phillips.

With information from Joe Tunney of the CBC