Justice for Irene
Yesterday, WRRC participated in delivering a letter to the London Catholic Diocese, demanding it withdraw it’s appeal against a recent court ruling in favour of Irene Deschenes, a sexual assault victim of Charles Sylvestre. In partnership with Anova, London Abused Women’s Centre, the Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, we stand in solidarity with Irene, and all survivors of sexual assault. Below is WRRC’s full statement we we signed this open letter, along with the news coverage received.
Read the Letter
Media Coverage
WRRC wishes to express our support of Irene Duchenes. Last week, we hosted a media conference for Ms. Deschenes to announce a decision by Justice David Aston. Justice Aston found Ms. Duschenes can reopen a settled civil case with the London Catholic Diocese because there was evidence to show the Church made a false claim in 2000.
Activists gather outside the London Catholic Diocese on December 12, 2018. Photo: Cara Campbell
But with the Church appealing the ruling, the London Catholic Diocese is once again showing that decision making is based purely on its own self-interest, regardless of the further trauma and damage it may do to victims of these crimes.
Irene Deschenes was one of the dozens of young girls victimised by Charles Sylvestre. This litigation could take another two-four years before it is complete, and the toll on Ms. Deschenes will be great. We have signed this opened letter to ask Bishop Fabbro to withdraw the appeal, and put the needs of the victims of sexual assault first.
WRRC always has, and will continue to support and believe the victims of sexual assault. When Ms. Deschenes decided to speak out, she held the London Catholic Diocese to account. We stand in solidarity with Irene, and all survivors of these horrific crimes.
Corey Allison
Executive Director
Women’s Rural Resource Centre
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