A former priest faces a six-year prison sentence for decades-old abuse of Inuit children in Nunavut, seeking justice for the victims.
Iqaluit: So, there’s this former Catholic priest, Eric Dejaeger, who’s in a bit of hot water. He’s facing a six-year prison sentence for some pretty awful stuff he did to Inuit kids back in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
The courtroom was heavy with emotion as the victims shared their stories. They talked about how the abuse messed with their lives, leading to addiction and mental health issues. It’s heartbreaking to hear how this has affected their self-esteem and trust in others.
Some of them even said they can’t step foot in a Catholic church anymore. It’s not just the individuals who are hurting; the whole community feels the impact of what happened.
The prosecutor, Emma Baasch, pointed out that the socio-economic struggles in Nunavut made it easier for Dejaeger to carry out his abuse. She emphasized that while the 77-year-old’s guilty plea is a step forward, it doesn’t erase the pain he caused.
In her closing arguments, she expressed hope that the victims might find some closure after all these years. It’s a tough situation, and no sentence can truly make things right, but at least there’s a chance for healing.
This whole case has been a long time coming, and it’s good to see some movement towards justice for those affected.
