It was to help others who have suffered crimes of a sexual nature that the victim of Jean Berny Romain, a 40-year-old man who worked in an RPA in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, courageously addressed the Tribunal on Wednesday, January 8. Néomédia was able to speak with the woman we'll call Rebecca for the purposes of this text. 

A publication ban on the case prevents us from revealing her identity and her relationship with her assailant. We can, however, mention that Rebecca is a minor, and that when she appeared before Judge Mylène Grégoire, she read a letter she had written to her assailant, addressing the impact of his actions on her. 

The accused was able to hear the letter via videoconference from the penitentiary where he has been held since his arrest on May 24.

“You killed my joie de vivre, my way of seeing life. You killed everything that makes me me. I have to learn again to trust every man I meet in my life. Because of you, I change cars on the subway when there are too many men in it. Because of you, I walk faster when I meet a man on the street. Because of you, I think all men are rapists, even though I know this isn't true. I also want to denounce what goes on behind closed doors in RPAs and invite people not to be afraid to denounce,” she said as she spoke. 

«No sentence could erase the harm he has done to me»

In connection with the acts committed against him, the accused was given a total sentence of three years' imprisonment, a sentence that is appropriate for the victim since she falls within the range of sentences imposed in similar cases.  

” No sentence could erase the evil he has done to me.  I hope the accused will receive the necessary support at the detention centre to avoid a repeat offence upon release,” she added. 

Note that in addition to his prison sentence, Jean Berny Romain has a prohibition on contact with the girl and her entourage while he is in prison. Upon release, he will be prohibited from owning certain types of weapons for 10 years and for others, in perpetuity. The applicant will also be required to provide all samples necessary for registration in the Sex Offender Registry over a 20-year period. 

Despite the cumbersome legal process for victims, Rebecca wanted to be heard by the Tribunal on this D-day when her aggressor knew of his fate. ”It was important for me, because I want to prove to all the victims of this kind of crime that we must not be afraid and that going through with it is a proof of strength, courage and determination, as well as a beautiful recovery of power over our lives. It’s worth going through the judicial process, even if it can be long and painful,” she says. 

Very supportive throughout the judicial process 

For victims of sexual acts, the legal process can be lengthy and painful. Rebecca says she was supported throughout the process, including at the last hearing, when Malik, the Sûreté du Québec’s service dog, was there to help her with stress and anxiety. 

 ”The fact that a full SQ post was mobilized to be able to arrest the aggressor in less than 24 hours was for me an immense relief. I felt supported and supported like never before. The judge was very gentle and human with me, which I greatly appreciated since I was at the edge of my skin. The police, investigators and prosecutors were all very involved, which touched me a lot.”

Aware that the legal process can be extremely difficult and burdensome for some victims, Rebecca hopes that her story will inspire others to report their aggressor.  “I would just like to remind victims that good stories also exist,” she concludes, before thanking all those who have supported her since she denounced the crime. 

To read also: 

- “You killed everything that made me the person I was.”