A judge in a Montreal courtroom was moved to tears by the stories of the 15 victims who have come forward with their experiences of sexual abuse at the hands of a former Westmount hockey coach.
Among those stories is that of Doug Ellis, a gifted pre-teen hockey player who was abused by his coach John Garland in the early 1980s.
Shortly after he broke his silence two years ago, Ellis died of a heart attack at the age of 45. He had struggled for years and his family didn’t know why.
Ruth Ellis still has her son’s team jersey and she had it with her as she delivered a victim impact statement Monday.
“It’s dirty and I think there's a bit of blood on it, but I've kept it forever,” she told reporters outside the courtroom. “He was such a happy child and then suddenly he’s beating up his brother, bed-wetting; his behaviour changed dramatically.”
It’s believed Garland abused young hockey players between 1953 and 1987. Garland, who worked as a superintendent for Westmount’s park and recreation department, died in 2012.
Ellis revealed the abuse he suffered to his family two years ago.
“It was total, utter, complete, just horror and devastation. I ran to the emergency. I couldn't handle it. Everything just twisted. I understood, but I felt so betrayed, and so sick.”
She blames her son’s life struggles and his early death on the abuse he suffered.
“The hell, the hell of watching my son deteriorate and act out in such a painful, horrible way. The hell he went through. The rage,” said his mother.
Monday’s hearing in Quebec Superior Court before Judge Marc de Wever was to authorize a settlement between the City of Westmount and the victims. The city has agreed pay up to a total of $2.5 million to victims of Garland and to renegotiate the terms if more than 25 victims come forward.
De Wever fought tears as he promised to return with a decision soon. It’s expected to come later this week.
Filmmaker Matthew Bissonnette, one of Garland’s victims, returned to Westmount two years ago to launch the class action against the city.
“It’s heartbreaking. Everyone who is a victim of childhood sexual abuse suffers in similar ways. Everyone struggles with depression, struggles with substance abuse,” he said.
After the City of Westmount launched an investigation, its conclusion was clear.
“We have absolutely no doubt this happened,” said former Westmount mayor Peter Trent in January. “We have to root this out and make sure that people are comfortable about coming forth.”
If the settlement is approved, the 15 people who have come forward will each receive at least $100,000.
“I think the City of Westmount found a way to resolve the dispute as opposed to ignore or litigate it,” said Kurt Johnson, the lawyer for Westmount.
When asked if he had even seen a judge moved to tears, Johnson replied, “Only five minutes ago. That’s the only time I’ve ever seen that in 25 years.”
Ruth Ellis said there will be no closure for her, only hope other children can heal.
“Any child who has been touched inappropriately, that they make a lot of noise and tell their parents or someone nearby whom they trust and know and just get it out there,” she said.
Part of the settlement includes a memorial garden for the victims to be built near the Westmount recreation centre to ensure their suffering will never to be forgotten.
With a report from CTV Montreal’s Annie Demelt
