Witness testifies about being sexually assaulted by others as well as parents
WARNING: Contains disturbing content.
A London, Ont. jury heard evidence that the children of a London family were sexually assaulted by other people besides their parents on different occasions.
The witness, who cannot be identified, has been testifying for several days in a remote area of the London courthouse away from their parents who are in a courtroom.
Under cross-examination from the defense, the jury was told how, as a teenager, the witness not only had sex with the parents but were also offered up to other people, “It’s not normal to beat your children and be sexually assaulted and then give them to others to be sexually assaulted.”
They said as a child, “I was told for years that I was worthless and stupid and I would not survive in the world without them…for me that was normal.”
The witness said the children were continually threatened by their parents in different ways, “After being told for years and years that if you ever told anyone on the outside world, they would not understand because this is our religion and this is our family…you would never see your siblings again if you told someone.”
The children, who are now adults, eventually contacted the London Police Service.
The parents, who are now both in their fifties, face a total of 47 charges, including sexual assault with a weapon, incest, forcible confinement, and failing to provide the necessaries of life.
The parents have both pleaded not guilty. The incidents are alleged to have happened between 2003 and 2020.
Later in a heated exchange, the defence questioned whether the Crown witness was telling the truth and they responded, “I had a lot of injuries throughout my childhood.”
Then, when asked by the defence if any of the scars could be photographed, the witness said, “No, it’s my body not yours…all my injuries were real I didn’t fake any injuries.”
The court has heard that the children involved are trying to heal and have received mental health counselling.
The trial resumes on Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Henrique to play in Game 3 of Western Conference final; Hintz a game-time decision
Adam Henrique is set to join the action. Roope Hintz might be doing the same.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.