Bertrand Charest: four more women obtain right to be identified by name

McFetridge wrote that Charest’s actions when he was her coach in 1996 and 1997 “had a destructive effect on my physical and psychological health.”

Forsyth alleged in her statement that Charest sexually abused her in 1997 and 1998 and that she fought anxiety and depression in later years.

“I have lived and still live with feelings of shame and guilt,” she said in her statement.

“My self-confidence and ability to trust people in authority have been shaken and remain shaken to this day.”

Bertram, who was coached by Charest from 1996 to 1998, echoed the others in saying it is important for her to speak publicly about her experience in order to raise awareness in society of the importance of safety in sports.

Their identities were made public a day after Genevieve Simard, Gail Kelly, Amelie-Frederique Gagnon and Anna Prchal told a news conference about the abuse they suffered at the hands of Charest when they were adolescents and he was their coach.

Charest was found guilty last June of 37 of the 57 sex-related charges he was facing, and was eventually given a 12-year prison term.

The convictions involved nine of the 12 women who’d accused him of crimes that occurred more than 20 years ago, when the victims and alleged victims were between the ages of 12 and 19.

Charest is appealing both his conviction and the sentence and was denied bail by the appellate court.

As of last December, he had seven years and 10 months left to serve because of his time in detention since his arrest in 2015.

The trial judge called him a sexual predator last June and had more harsh words last December when he said Charest still did not grasp the severity or the consequences of his crimes.

Quebec court Judge Sylvain Lepine said the victims were still suffering from what he called “serious health consequences” as a result of the abuse that took place between 1991 and 1998.

Stephanie Marin, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Bertrand Charest: four more women obtain right to be identified by name

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