Former NHLer Theo Fleury has arrived on Parliament Hill, completing his a 10-day “Victor Walk” aimed at raising more awareness about childhood sex abuse and the need for healing.
Fleury, who was sexually abused by disgraced hockey coach Graham James in the 1980s, started his walk to the country’s capital on May 14, departing from Toronto.
He has said that the walk was meant to bring national attention to what he says is an “epidemic of child sexual abuse,” as well as the way he says survivors are “re-victimized” by the justice system.
Standing on the steps of the Supreme Court of Canada, Fleury told CTV Ottawa’s Kimothy Walker that the aim of the walk was in part to remind those who have suffered sexual abuse it’s not their fault and there is no need to be ashamed.
“Today, we have a lot of people who have come to shed their shame. It’s the biggest problem of this issue, that it has shame attached to it. And shame keeps us quiet for so many years,” he said.
“The message is that it’s okay to tell your truth. It’s okay to be a part of something that has been so horrible in your life. You can turn that around and make it into something beautiful.”
Fleury said he, too, once felt shame and anger, which he said was really sadness turned in on itself. But through therapy, he no longer sees himself as a victim and that’s why he decided to call the march a “victor” walk.
“I’m tired of people calling us victims. The people who call us victims are the ones committing the crimes themselves,” he said.
Fleury is due to meet with members of Parliament on the Hill Thursday to talk about what’s needed to bring in tougher legislation against child sexual abuse.
Fleury has said in the past that he wants tougher sentences for convicted pedophiles, and has suggested a minimum of 15 years for each count of abuse, served concurrently.
He also wants those who fail to report incidents of sexual abuse to be held legally accountable, and he wants a national registry of pedophiles’ home and work addresses.
