Father Adolphe Leblanc

January 21, 2009

Sex abuse victims to break their silence over treatment by Nova Scotia priest.

The London, Ontario, law firm of Ledroit Beckett Litigation Lawyers will hold a News Conference at the Delta Halifax Hotel, 1990 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2009.

The news conference will give victims who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Father Adolphe Leblanc the chance to begin their own personal healing, by publicly speaking about abuse they have lived with in secrecy for so long.

The acts of abuse reported so far run from the 1940s to 1960. The victims – all boys – were aged 11-15 at the time. Father Leblanc abused boys on Church property, in his car and at a cottage.

The victims, now in their 60s, have wanted to speak out about Father Leblanc for decades, and have now mustered the courage. They are launching civil lawsuits as a way of seeking justice and answers to questions regarding Father Leblanc.

Father Leblanc was ordained in 1924 and is now deceased. He had a long career as a Roman Catholic Priest in small isolated Parishes in the Yarmouth area of Nova Scotia, including Wedgeport and Salmon River.

While the abuse happened 50 years ago, the impact of the abuse and the memories of Father Leblanc haunt his victims to this day.

By coming forward now, the victims hope to seek out the truth, achieve personal healing, reach out to others who have been abused, and prevent other children from suffering as they have. Ultimately they hope to raise awareness of childhood sexual abuse so they may generate something positive from this painful experience in their lives.

Ledroit Beckett is a civil litigation law firm with a Canada-wide focus on representing victims of sexual abuse. They investigate allegations of abuse and advocate for institutional reform and financial compensation for victims. Ledroit Beckett presently represents victims from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and has cases against institutions all over Canada. Ledroit Beckett is the provincially appointed representative of the Victims Group in the Cornwall Public Inquiry which is investigating the institutional response to allegations of sexual abuse of young persons in Cornwall, Ontario.

Victims of Father Adolphe Leblanc and representatives from Ledroit Beckett will provide further details at the News Conference and will be available to answer any questions.

Contact: Aaron Lealess (519) 639-2671 (cell) or alealess@ledroitbeckett.com

Ledroit Beckett Litigation Lawyers, 630 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3G6, Office: (519) 673-4994, Fax: (519) 432-1660