Self-harm, suicidal ideation and anxiety: the consequences are heavy for two young girls sexually abused at the age of 9 and 10 by an athletics coach from the South Shore who has just been sentenced to nine months in prison.
“These wounds [d’automutilation] will stay with me all my life. When I get up in the morning, I see them and I think about what you did to me when I was a child. It’s marked on my skin forever, “said a victim, now 15 years old, of Alain Patry at the Longueuil courthouse.
The 46-year-old kept his head down as he was sentenced this morning to nine months in jail for repeatedly touching the two girls’ breasts under their clothing. He had pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual interference last January.
Involved with young people
Alain Patry was at the time in contact with young people in several spheres of his life. Until his arrest, he directed the after-school athletics program at André-Laurendeau high school in Saint-Hubert.
He was also a running and hiking instructor on the South Shore, and volunteered with a gymnastics club in Richelieu.
Photo taken from Facebook
Alain Patry at the time of his arrest by the Longueuil police in November 2021.
He had been handcuffed in November 2021. It was only from that moment that his 15-year-old victim stopped mutilating himself, she who also had suicidal thoughts, she told the Log after the hearing.
“Even though I now accept my scars, there are still people commenting on it. It will always follow me, ”said the one who was assaulted at 9 years old, showing the many white marks on her forearms.
Depression and anxiety
The second victim was 10 years old when Patry abused her. She experiences severe depression and often has anxiety attacks. For her testimony, she had brought a small bottle of anti-stress oil which she carried in her trouser pocket.
“I often have flashbacks. I don’t want to be alone with a man anymore. I’m still afraid of red cars like Alain Patry’s. I am no longer the same girl as before who was always happy and who lived a good life”, testified with a small soft voice the teenager who is now 13 years old.
Despite a “difficult” and trying legal process, the two young girls are proud to have denounced him. One had spoken for the first time about the abuse to the Tel-jeunes organization and the other had told everything to her older sister.
“Reporting is important. By talking, we can save other lives at the same time. And you feel 100 times better afterwards, ”dropped the 13-year-old victim.
By deducting the time spent in preventive detention, Alain Patry has 90 days left to spend behind bars, which he can serve on weekends.
Judge Marc-Antoine Carette endorsed this common suggestion of his sentence proposed by the defense lawyer, Mr.e Anne Tétreault, and the Crown prosecutor, Ms.e Anne Gauvin.
During his three-year probation, he will also be prohibited from having a job or volunteering that would place him in a relationship of trust with minors.