BY KEITH LACEY
A victim of childhood sexual abuse had to be restrained momentarily after the man who molested him over a four-year period 25 years ago was given a conditional sentence Thursday.
And, outside the courthouse, a woman who founded an organization crying out for stiffer penalties against those found guilty of sexually abusing children, was in tears.
Robert Larocque, 43, was given a conditional sentence of 22 months to be served under house arrest by Justice Louise Gauthier of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Earlier this year, Gauthier found Larocque guilty, following a brief trial, of two counts of sexually assaulting young children.
She found Larocque guilty of a single incident of inappropriately touching a young girl, who was age three at the time. She also found him guilty of 20 incidents of sexually molesting a young boy, who was between the ages of 3 and 7 between 1977 and 1981, starting when the accused was age 16.
The sexual assaults on the young boy included touching, fondling and progressed to more invasive acts.
After finding out Larocque was not going to jail, the male victim, now in his late 20s, had to be restrained by his girlfriend and other supporters.
?It looks like I?m going to have to go to jail now,? he said in a threatening manner, before being restrained. He quickly calmed down and was escorted out of the courtroom by friends and family.
Court heard Larocque, who is married with one child, attempted suicide after being arrested by police, and suffers from numerous mental health and physical health problems.
Gauthier said this was a case where imposing an appropriate sentence was extremely difficult. The Ontario Court of Appeal has made it clear that in cases where an adult repeatedly sexually assaults a child over a prolonged period of time, a severe sentence is called for, she said.
The court also considers the tremendous pain and suffering the two victims, especially the male victim, have gone through, said Gauthier.
However, the court must also consider Larocque has no other criminal record, has led an exemplary life without any suggestion of any other sexual misconduct, and has suffered serious mental health problems relating directly to his sexual impropriety a quarter century ago, she said.
When balancing all the evidence and submissions by defence counsel Charles Conroy and assistant Crown attorney Guy Roy, Gauthier ruled she was ?satisfied this accused doesn?t present a danger to the community at this time or at any other time over the past 25 years.?
Besides 22 months of house arrest, Larocque will have to take any counselling as recommended by his probation officer and not be in the presence of any child under age 16, with the exception of his own daughter, unless accompanied by an adult.
He?s also not to have any contact with either victim and he must perform 100 hours of community service and provide a DNA sample.
Before sentence was imposed, Larocque told the court, ?I deeply regret what happened. I wish I could take the time back, but I can?t?I?m so sorry it did happen.?
Roy had asked for an 18-month jail sentence.
If his client had abused other children or didn?t acknowledge the pain and suffering he?s caused, a jail sentence would be appropriate, but that?s not what?s happened, said Conroy.
Roy said the victim impact statements in this case clearly detail the pain and suffering both victims have endured over many years because of Larocque?s actions.
It?s not unusual for people who commit historical sexual assaults to not get into any more trouble and lead normal lives, but case law clearly indicates a severe penalty is called for when the assaults are repeated over a long period of time, he said.
After sentencing was imposed, Tania Van Norman, founder of Save the Children, Stop Childhood Sexual Abuse, was in tears outside the courthouse.
?The male victim in this case called me two and a half years ago, asking for support and I?ve got to know him very well,? she said. ?He?s very upset at what happened today.?
Canada?s justice system must impose stiffer penalties against adults who abuse children, she said.
?It takes a community to raise a child and when one child is sexually abused, we?re all partially responsible in some way,? she said. ?It?s very discouraging when a man who committed such terrible acts isn?t sent to jail.
?Sentences like this don?t send the right message. The system doesn?t care enough about victims and concentrates more on abusers and their rights.?
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