Latest news with #AndreaSkinner
CBC
12-07-2025
- CBC
Her mother stayed with the man who abused her. Today, she helps other victims of childhood sexual assault
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it. Andrea Skinner, daughter of renowned Canadian author Alice Munro, revealed last summer that she was molested by her stepfather, Gerald Fremlin — and that her late mother remained with Fremlin after he pleaded guilty to indecent assault. The news rocked the literary world. But Robin Heald of Collingwood, Ont., was not among the shocked. That's because, in many ways, her life mirrored Skinner's. Robin's stepfather, Glen Calvin Young, sexually assaulted Robin and her sisters for many years. Unlike Munro's husband, he eventually served time in prison. Robin and one of her sisters, Heather Morrison, maintain a relationship with their mother, Shirley Young, even though she failed to protect them from her husband, and took him back after he served time. Shirley lived with Glen until his death earlier this month. CBC Radio producer John Chipman spoke to the three women about what the sisters went through, Shirley's reasons for staying, and Robin's work to help other survivors of childhood sexual assault. The abuse Shirley had five children — four daughters and a son. Robin, born in 1969, is the youngest. For most of her childhood, the family lived in Smith Falls, Ont., about 78 kilometres southwest of Ottawa. In 1972, when Robin was three, her parents separated and her mother moved them to an apartment. That's when the man who would become their stepfather entered the picture. Robin says the abuse began almost immediately. "I was sexually abused quite significantly for many years." Glen was also abusing her sisters. Robin says it wasn't until 1981 that her eldest sister, Heather, told a relative what was happening. Systemic failures Though the abuse was reported to the local child protection agency, neither Glen nor the kids were removed from the home, and no charges were laid. Instead, Shirley and Glen signed agreements with child protection services. He agreed to "terminate all sexual behaviour" with his stepchildren, while she agreed to report any suspicions of sexual abuse. But little changed. CBC Radio reviewed documents showing that, about two and a half years later, in the presence of a child protection worker and her mother, Robin told a police officer that Glen had been having sexual intercourse with her "once a month" for "a couple of years." CBC Radio contacted the Smiths Falls Police Service to ask why charges weren't laid. In a statement, a spokesperson said the organization was unable to comment due to the historical nature of the case. CBC Radio also contacted Family and Children's Services of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville. An official said the agency couldn't comment for privacy reasons, but did note there have been many changes to child welfare services in Ontario over the past four decades. Heather says there were times the children weren't fully honest with child protection because their mother and stepfather were in the room. "We would just sit there like perfect little puppets because we were more afraid of the repercussions afterwards," she said. Why Shirley didn't leave Shirley says it was financial insecurity that made her stay with Glen, because she felt she couldn't make it on her own and didn't have anywhere else to go. "That was the only excuse I got," she said, noting she'd already had to start over with five children after leaving their father. "I couldn't do it again," she said, "I know it sounds crazy, but it's the only way I could think at the time." Robin says she's come to believe her mother chose to focus on making sure there was food on the table. "In her perspective, that was providing for us, as opposed to protecting," said Robin. "She didn't have the capacity to see that there was a possibility for both." Alice Munro's daughter speaks out about sexual abuse by stepfather 1 year ago Duration 2:36 But there are layers to Shirley's story. She says when she was just three, she was sexually abused by a nine-year-old boy who was a friend of the family. Later, starting when she was nine, she says she was also assaulted by a relative for a number of years. Then there's Shirley's relationship with the father of her children, Charlie Morrison, now deceased. In the late '50s, Shirley's mother got a job as a live-in nanny for the children Morrison had with his first wife. When Shirley was 13, she and her mom moved in with him Morrison was in his late 30s. "A pedophile. That's what he was," Shirley said. "Charlie was messing around with me." The sexual abuse eventually resulted in her becoming pregnant for the first time at age 20. Asked how — given the abuse Shirley endured — she could end up in a relationship with another abuser who caused the same harm to her own daughters, Shirley said she didn't know. "That's the nature of generational trauma," said Robin. "Mom isn't the only woman who has gone from a traumatized childhood to traumatized adult relationship after traumatized adult relationship. And so many never break that cycle." Nazanin Moghadami, a clinical counsellor from Burnaby, B.C., where she runs the Nabat Health Center, says this bears out both in research and what she sees while conducting trauma therapy. People have different responses to violence, says Moghadami. One is to convince themselves the abuse is normal. For instance, if a mother was abused as a child, she may have just tried to tolerate it. Then, later, if her children tell her they've been abused, Moghadami says the question in her mind might be "'Well, why can't you just go about living a normal life and pretend this is not a big deal, because I managed to make this not a big deal.'" Breaking away When she was about 16, Robin says she started dreaming of a future outside her abusive home. With the goal of attending university, Robin started working full time at a donut shop in addition to attending high school. That schedule led to conflict with her mother and stepfather. "They felt that if I was not doing all of my chores every day as expected, that I shouldn't live there," said Robin. Getting kicked out was a turning point, she says. Her school guidance counsellor connected her with a woman who rented rooms and became Robin's mentor. When Robin was in university, she and her sisters decided to go back to the police. This time, Glen was charged with nine sex offences, ranging from gross indecency to sexual assault and sexual intercourse. He cut a deal with the Crown and pleaded guilty to four offences. On April 29, 1991, he was sentenced to two years less a day in prison, plus three years probation. In the weeks before his death on July 1, CBC Radio requested an interview with Glen. He declined. The relationship today While Glen was in prison, Robin and her siblings told their mother she had to choose between them and her husband. When he was released, Shirley chose Glen. Robin says their contact with their mother dropped off to "almost nothing for several years." Among the siblings, only Robin and Heather have a relationship with their mother now, though Robin says they don't go out of their way to see her. When they happen to be in town, they'll take Shirley to her favourite restaurant, Swiss Chalet. Heather describes her relationship with her mother as superficial. "Talking about knitting is a safe subject, and that's probably all I've really chatted with her about over the past five years." Moving forward and breaking the cycle Robin says she's worked hard to build something positive out of her traumas. She's the executive director of the Child Witness Centre, an advocacy and support agency in Kitchener, Ont., which helps kids and their caregivers navigate the criminal justice system and understand their rights. "There's a lot of wait time in this process, and this is the room that's hopefully that comfy, cosy, welcoming place for them to recuperate," said Robin during a tour of the facility. The organization has a therapy dog named Monet and a remote testimony room so children can testify in a space that's less intimidating than court. In her personal life, Robin says she waited to have her children — now 18 and 20 — until she was certain she could break the cycle of abuse and violence. She says she's made it her mission to "make lemonade out of it, for me personally, in victim services and in the life of my family and every future generation of my family to ensure that this cycle of trauma ends." "It absolutely ends with me."
Cision Canada
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
CJF Special Citation goes to the Toronto Star
TORONTO, May 2, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) will honour the Toronto Star with its Special Citation for its groundbreaking investigation into the sexual abuse that Andrea Skinner, daughter of Canadian literary giant Alice Munro, suffered at the hands of her stepfather, Munro's husband. The months-long investigation, reported by Deborah Dundas and Betsy Powell, shows extraordinary courage and sensitivity, illuminating the darkest shadows of human experience. The honour, awarded on a discretionary basis by the CJF, will be presented at the annual CJF Awards in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York on June 12. The citation recognizes journalism that serves its highest purposes: giving voice to the voiceless, challenging established power structures and illuminating complex truths that might otherwise remain hidden from public view. Past CJF Special Citation recipients include The Boston Globe, writer Ronan Farrow and editor Martin Baron. "This remarkable work exemplifies the highest ideals of investigative journalism by giving voice to those silenced by power and reputation," says CJF president and executive director Natalie Turvey. "The Toronto Star displayed exceptional institutional courage, mobilizing a comprehensive newsroom-wide effort that unified reporters, editors, designers and digital teams in pursuit of truth with both sensitivity and journalistic rigour." The investigation distinguished itself not merely through excellent reporting, but also through its unwavering commitment to centering the experiences of survivors while examining complex questions of legacy, accountability and healing. In multiple stories confronting how a Nobel laureate's status shielded painful realities from public view, the Star demonstrated that journalistic integrity means pursuing truth regardless of whose reputation may be affected. Skinner's story, as told by the Star, and reported subsequently in outlets across Canada and globally, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, the BBC, The Guardian, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, has changed the conversation on childhood sexual abuse. Countless supporters around the world have held up her account as a cautionary tale, urging any adult who knows a child who has been abused to come forward. The CJF Awards celebrates excellence in journalism by honouring those who have made significant contributions to the profession and by recognizing emerging talent. CIBC is the presenting sponsor of the 2025 CJF Awards. The 2025 CJF Awards are also supported by Google News Initiative, Labatt Breweries of Canada, McCain Foods, Intact, TD Bank Group, CBC/Radio-Canada, Aritzia, BMO Financial Group, Canada Life, Sobeys, Scotiabank, RBC, FGS Longview Communications, KPMG, Canadian Bankers Association, Canadian Medical Association, Accenture, Aga Khan Development Network, Apple Canada News, Bennett Jones LLP, Blakes, Canadian Women's Foundation, CPP Investments, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Maple Leaf Foods, OLG, Rishi Nolan Strategies, TD Securities, Uber, WSP. In-kind sponsorship is provided by Beehive Design, The Canadian Press, Bespoke Audio Visual, MLSE and Porter Airlines. About The Canadian Journalism Foundation Founded in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation promotes, celebrates and facilitates excellence in journalism. The foundation runs a prestigious awards and fellowships program featuring an industry gala where news leaders, journalists and corporate Canada gather to celebrate outstanding journalistic achievement and the value of professional journalism. Through monthly J-Talks, a public speakers' series, the CJF facilitates dialogue among journalists, business people, academics and students about the role of the media in Canadian society and the ongoing challenges for media in the digital era. The foundation also fosters opportunities for journalism education, training and research.
Toronto Star
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Globe and Mail, Toronto Star lead the way as National Newspaper Awards handed out
MONTREAL - The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star were the big winners as the National Newspaper Awards were handed out in Montreal on Friday night. The Globe took home nine of the 23 regular awards, in front of the Toronto Star, which took home six. One of the Globe's awards was shared with the Halifax Chronicle Herald and two of the Star awards were shared with the Investigative Journalism Bureau. La Presse, Reuters and the Chronicle Herald picked up two awards each. The Star won the Project of the Year award for its coverage of the sexual abuse suffered by Andrea Skinner, the daughter of literary icon Alice Munro, at the hands of her stepfather. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Star also won in the investigations category for its reporting done with the Investigative Journalism Bureau on the failings of a program meant to fund mental health care for Inuit and First Nations people. The Globe took home the breaking news award for its coverage of the women's soccer spying scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Chronical Herald's Aaron Beswick was named journalist of the year for his coverage of lawlessness in Nova Scotia's lobster and eel fisheries, including poaching, arson and international smuggling. There were 864 entries for consideration in this year's awards submitted by 82 news organizations. Finalists and winners were selected by three-judge panels in each category. The awards were established by the Toronto Press Club in 1949 to encourage excellence and reward achievement in daily newspaper work in Canada. The competition is now open to newspapers, news agencies and online news sites. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Globe and Mail, Toronto Star lead the way as National Newspaper Awards handed out
MONTREAL – The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star were the big winners as the National Newspaper Awards were handed out in Montreal on Friday night. The Globe took home nine of the 23 regular awards, in front of the Toronto Star, which took home six. One of the Globe's awards was shared with the Halifax Chronicle Herald and two of the Star awards were shared with the Investigative Journalism Bureau. La Presse, Reuters and the Chronicle Herald picked up two awards each. The Star won the Project of the Year award for its coverage of the sexual abuse suffered by Andrea Skinner, the daughter of literary icon Alice Munro, at the hands of her stepfather. The Star also won in the investigations category for its reporting done with the Investigative Journalism Bureau on the failings of a program meant to fund mental health care for Inuit and First Nations people. The Globe took home the breaking news award for its coverage of the women's soccer spying scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Chronical Herald's Aaron Beswick was named journalist of the year for his coverage of lawlessness in Nova Scotia's lobster and eel fisheries, including poaching, arson and international smuggling. There were 864 entries for consideration in this year's awards submitted by 82 news organizations. Finalists and winners were selected by three-judge panels in each category. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. The awards were established by the Toronto Press Club in 1949 to encourage excellence and reward achievement in daily newspaper work in Canada. The competition is now open to newspapers, news agencies and online news sites. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2025.
