Assault Victims of Priest Asked to Come Forward

Assault Victims of Priest Asked to Come Forward

Friday, January 16, 2004 at 15:31

The chief of the Buffalo River Dene Nation hopes the recent sentencing of a former priest for sex crimes against children in Northern Saskatchewan will enable his community to start healing.

Chief Elmer Campbell feels the 2-year sentence for the crimes Reverend Norbert Dufault committed back in the 1950’s and 60’s is very small, but he’s still hoping it will encourage other victims to come forward with their stories.

Campbell says he has a hard time understanding the court’s reasons for giving such a short sentence for crimes that have affected generations of people in his community.

Campbell also says there’s a number of people in his community that may yet be willing to come forward with their allegations.

Dufault pleaded guilty to 8 charges of indecent assault and will serve his sentence in a federal penitentiary.