A dozen alleged victims of sexual and physical assault, which would have been imposed on the Mont d’Youville Orphanage, met before the National Assembly on Tuesday. With a symbolic gesture, they hope to attract the attention of Quebec’s Attorney General, Simon Jolin-Barrette.
The group regrets the government’s lack of sensitivity to them, by dragging on legal proceedings initiated to obtain compensation. Its members initiated class action against the Sisters of Charity of Quebec, for the abuse they allegedly suffered during the period from 1925 to 1996.
” I myself have had 20 years of therapy, until now I have been in therapy. It took a few years before I could recover. “
The 60-year-old spent less than a year in Mont d’Youville, but he said the violence he suffered there, and what he witnessed, marked him forever.
He says he has tried several times to contact Minister Jolin-Barrette and Prime Minister François Legault. He criticizes them because they didn’t even send him an acknowledgment on the receipt.
Quebec at the port
He did not spare his words to speak about the Legault government, which he accused of bowing to the level of their executioners, who were actively defending them. They fight resentment and contempt for the victims.
The Superior Court allowed class action regarding the attacks that allegedly took place at the orphanage in 2020. Given the history of the establishment, the lawsuit targets both the Integrated University Health and Social Services Center (CIUSSS) of Capitale-Nationale, the government and the Sisters of Charity.
In the wake of the movement to secularize public services, the Mont d’Youville orphanage found itself under the responsibility of the state of Quebec in the early 1970s. Lay people came to provide assistance to nuns. that is, only a few have gradually retreated from the management of the establishment.
Physical and sexual abuse allegedly took place at the hands of secular and religious workers, according to the complainants. The establishment is now part of CIUSSS of Capitale-Nationale, and the Sisters of Charity have not participated in orphanage activities since 1996.
Long procedure
We are dealing with a real judicial guerrilla, said one of the four attorneys for the alleged victims, Jean-Daniel Quessy. In particular, he wants to prove it by the fact that after years of litigation, no defense has yet been presented.
They base their defense on procedural elements or additional issues, he said. Ironically, the slowness of the process provided time for some potential victims to move forward.
This is why Jean Simard intends to go to the National Assembly with people who, like him, swear to have lived a real nightmare.
” Me, if I were to wear children’s shoes in parliament, it would be to remind everyone that almost 600 adults were in front of them, but in the beginning, 600 children were attacked. “
The Minister refused to intervene
Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette has no intention of interfering or commenting on the ongoing legal process.
It is up to the judges to ensure the smooth running of the proceedings in their courtroomexplanation by the minister’s attaché, Elisabeth Gosselin.
However, he added that the government is very sensitive to the hardships victims say they are experiencingbut this is a case primarily concerned with CIUSSS and congregations.
No definite value has yet been established for class action, especially since the cause seems to be growing. In this context, Me Quessy cited the amount of damages that could exceed one hundred million dollars.
Source: Radio-Canada
