TORONTO - As the sentencing hearing of former hockey coach Graham James gets underway on Wednesday in Winnipeg, Theo Fleury's victim impact statement was made in Vancouver.
James pleaded guilty to repeated sexual assaults against former players Theo Fleury and a man who cannot be named under court order.
Fleury held a news conference in Vancouver to talk about the case and to provide hope to others who may have suffered similar assaults.
“I am a victor after this,” said Fleury. “It is possible to recover and to live a very healthy, peaceful and productive life.”
While Fleury’s message was one of hope, he pointed to a justice system that is “flawed top to bottom.”
“We have yet to see the action step and the leadership necessary to take sexual abuse head on and make some tough decisions…and maybe start to sway it in the favour of victims,” said Fleury. “Because we know…that there is no recovery for these guys…They go back out on the street and they recommit these crimes over and over again.”
Fleury said he hopes sexual abuse is the focus of the next national election, and urged other victims who have not come forward to look at his own journey and realize recovery is possible. He champions a four step process of going from victim to survivor, then victor to advocate.
Fleury added that he didn’t even recognize Graham James the last time he saw him on television.
“He didn’t even look anything like the guy that I used to know,” said Fleury. “I used to be the weaker person in the relationship and now I am the stronger one…and that’s really, you know, what this journey has really been all about.”
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