Eric Dejaeger, a former Catholic priest, was sentenced to six years in prison for sexually abusing seven Inuit children in the 1970s and 1980s. Dejaeger pleaded guilty to indecent assault charges and the court heard harrowing accounts from five survivors, who spoke of the lasting trauma caused by the abuse. Dejaeger, who has a history of convictions for similar crimes, expressed remorse in court and stated he had changed. Prosecutors praised the courage of the survivors and emphasized that this case demonstrates justice can be served even after decades.
IQALUIT — The devastating effects of Eric Dejaeger's sexual abuse of seven Inuit children more than four decades ago are being felt a generation later, a judge said Thursday as he handed the former Catholic priest a six-year prison sentence.
"The trauma reverberated to the next generation, as the children of his victims also suffered from the consequences of his actions." Philippe Plourde, the chief federal prosecutor in Nunavut, said he was glad the Public Prosecution Service of Canada was able to have its Nunavut sexual violence prosecution team, crown witness co-ordinator and victims services staff in court to support survivors.
George Dolhai, director of public prosecutions, said the case shows justice can be done no matter how much time has passed. Dejaeger is not to have contact with anyone under 16 unless an adult is present the entire time, and he can't use a computer to communicate with a child under 16.
SEXUAL ABUSE JUSTICE INUIT CANADA CHILD ABUSE
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