Comments for Child Abuse Story From Tabi

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Mar 25, 2009
 No statute of limitations on child abuse in Canada...
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

Tabi, of course you would feel lost. I am so sorry that your mother, the person who should have kept you safe from harm called you, and continues to call you, a liar over your disclosure of sexual abuse. It was so brave of you to tell; and she betrayed and abandoned you when you did. She was not, and does not appear to be yet, a support for you. You need supportive people to rally around you, people like your father and stepmother, who were a support for you when you first disclosed.

As to whether or not you are able to "open a case" with regard to the sexual abuse at the hands of your uncle, in Canada, there is no statute of limitations on child abuse. As long as the abuse occurred in Canada, you can file a statement of historical sexual child abuse against your uncle through the police department. But you must be prepared for what may or may not come to pass if you decide to go this route.

If you go into such litigation with the expectation that justice will be served, it is quite likely you will be disappointed. In fact, you could be further victimized, because if you go through a court case, and then the court rules with a not guilty verdict, you will be dealing with the emotional residue of that. It was bad enough when your mother called you a liar; imagine what it might be like to have gone through the terrible ordeal of a trial, only to walk away after the system failed you and feeling as though that system called you a liar.

I'm not saying that you should or should not go through with such litigation; I'm only warning you of the possible consequences. But in truth, Tabi, it isn't you who decides whether or not a case goes to court. That is up to the prosecution. They determine whether or not there is enough evidence for a trial; and will only proceed if they believe the evidence could yield a conviction.

It is still highly advisable to file a statement with your local police department, because if others have also filed against this man, there would be more victims and thus more evidence against him. Not to mention that he is likely STILL sexually abusing girls.

Your anger is so justifiable. But you need to deal with that anger. You and your children deserve that. Please consider entering into some form of counselling in order to help you.

Thank you for sharing your story with my visitors and me. I do wish you and your children all the best.

A Video Reading by Darlene Barriere
Darlene Barriere
Webmaster: www.child-abuse-effects.com
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir
Mar 26, 2009
 Statute of limitations?
by: Scott Canada

I know how you feel Tabi,and I too wonder about punishing those who abused me. I have had this question on my mind for years and perhaps this is a good time for me to ask Darlene about it. I was wondering how the statute of limitations applies to those of us who were abused (beaten) in school. I was wondering Darlene if you could tell me if a teacher can be held responsible for the physical abuse(spanking) that I was forced to endure. I am aware that such treatment was condoned back then,(73)but can they be punished for it. Today,in Canada,it would be illegal for a teacher to spank a child not to mention bare a child in the classroom and spank them. I'm guessing it was legal back then so the statute need not apply.

From Darlene: Since I'm not a lawyer, Scott, I can't give you any legal advice. What I do know is that bringing a teacher to trial for historic child abuse when what she did was legal at the time would be very difficult. Without the likelihood of a conviction, a prosecutor would not take it on. There are precedents, but generally they deal with many victims (primarily sexual abuse) and are issues about misuse of trust, power and authority. One notorious case was that of 1970s teacher, Tom Ellison, who abused his position of trust and authority by having sexual relations with his teenage female students. A film titled School of Secrets, by filmmaker, Melanie Wood, that tells the story of these women was release in October 2007.

A Video Reading by Darlene Barriere
Darlene Barriere
Webmaster: www.child-abuse-effects.com
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir
Mar 27, 2009
 I wish u the best
by: Anonymous

all that's very sad i feel for you i cant even imagine my self in ur position n i know it hurts for your mother to not even belive you relating to a subject like this but just keep the one you love very close to u know matter what
Dec 09, 2009
 No excuse
by: BMW Princess

There is no excuse for doing that. Not drugs.
Not a bad day . Not being young and dumb nothing.
You were so brave toconfront him on facebook.
All the best to you.

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Disclaimer: To the best of my knowledge the child abuse
stories on this site are true. While I cannot guarantee
this, I do try to balance the need for the submitter to be
heard and validated with the needs of my visitors.



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