Media expert witness Dr. Mary Lynn Young will be heard on Oct. 29 and 30 at the Cornwall Ontario Public Inquiry. Young is the acting director and an associate professor at the University of British Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. The expert witness will speak on the impact media coverage may have had on the community and whether that coverage influenced institutional response to allegations of child sexual abuse. The Inquiry’s task is to research and report on the institutional response of the justice system and other public institutions in relation to allegations of historical abuse of young people in the Cornwall area. CNW Group also writes:
Having nearly completed hearing testimony from witnesses who are victims or alleged victims of child sexual abuse, the Inquiry is now hearing community context evidence. Much of this form of evidence is provided by individuals who were not themselves victims of childhood sexual abuse, but who became involved in issues related to allegations of abuse. Some of the witnesses scheduled to appear have held to the view that there was disregard for – or suppression of – information regarding abuse of children and youth.