A mayor in Canada wants other sexual assault survivors to know ‘they’re not alone’ | 24CA News
After revealing she was sexually assaulted by a former colleague and good friend, political powerhouse Catherine Fournier is talking out.
“I want victims to know they’re not alone,” Fournier, 31, mentioned. “That even a woman in the public sphere, a political figure can be a victim of sexual assault and choose to denounce it.”
The mayor of Longueuil, Que., revealed she was the sufferer of ex-Parti Québécois MNA Harold LeBel, who was not too long ago convicted and sentenced to eight months in jail for sexually assaulting her in 2017.
Long seen as a rising star within the floundering PQ’s ranks, Fournier was elected when she was simply 24 to the provincial legislature in a byelection win in 2016. After claiming victory once more in 2018, she left the social gathering to take a seat as an Independent MNA in 2019.
Fournier then made the bounce to municipal politics in 2021 in a bid for mayor of one in every of Quebec’s largest cities. Her newly shaped social gathering gained by a landslide in Longueuil, a suburb on Montreal’s south shore.
More than two years after Fournier was sexually assaulted by LeBel at his house in Rimouski, she filed a grievance with police. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, she mentioned reminiscences of that evening grew to become more and more persistent.
LeBel, 60, was arrested in December 2020 and sentenced earlier this yr, after a jury discovered him responsible. He was granted parole this month. He was additionally sentenced to 2 years probation, prohibited from contacting Fournier and ordered to be registered as a intercourse offender for 20 years.
Fournier then sought to take away the publication ban, which was lifted earlier this week. This comes as a documentary is broadcast about her case, although at first she wasn’t positive she wished to be reveal her identification.
Catherine Fournier, centre, with Jean-François Lisée, proper, and Carole Poirier, in 2017 on the Quebec National Assembly.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
The politician mentioned initially it was simpler to be in denial than to face what occurred to her, and that she was scared it might have detrimental penalties for her profession. At the age of 25, she didn’t need to “make waves.”
Fournier mentioned she desires different survivors of sexual assault to know that when she did come ahead, although the expertise was troublesome, the judicial course of was largely constructive. Good tales are potential, she added.
“I come out of this with my head held high,” she mentioned.
Québec contre les violences sexuelles, an area group devoted to preventing sexual violence, praised Fournier’s braveness.
“Having her proud of her process and everything she has been through, I think it’s very empowering for all women,” co-founder Mélanie Lemay mentioned.
But most significantly, survivors should “follow their own rhythm,” Fournier mentioned. She is happy with herself, however that she understands why folks select to not report their assault and that call lies solely of their arms.
“Whatever your choice is, the path is valid and respect what you think is best to do for yourself,” Fournier mentioned.
— with information from Global News’ Dan Spector and The Canadian Press
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
