Attacked with machetes, now she has to fight against the IVAC

Photo Agence QMI, Daniel Mallard
Kathy Bolduc, must daily confront the consequences of the aggression of which she was a victim in October 2015.

Elisa Cloutier

Tuesday, 5 September 2017, 00:00

UPDATE
Tuesday, 5 September 2017, 00:00

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Despite memory loss, sleep problems and panic attacks are repeated, Kathy Bolduc, who has violently been attacked with a machete, has to fight to be considered a victim in the eyes of the regime of Compensation for victims of criminal acts (IVAC).

Supported by lawyer Marc Bellemare, Ms. Bolduc, must daily confront the consequences of the aggression of which she was a victim in October 2015, which makes it still today as unfit for work.

After having received several blows of a machete to the face and head by Yannick Fortin, who was in a “toxic psychosis”, she received 10 weeks of compensation by the IVAC. A amount of a little more than $ 3,000 that mr. Bellemare qualifies as “ridiculous”. “I am sometimes aggressive. Not about the world, but inside of me when I look at myself in the mirror. It is not easy to see like that every day,” says the young woman 28 years of age, who has the scarred face of a large scar.

Photo Agence QMI, Daniel Mallard

Kathy Bolduc in the company of the lawyer Marc Bellemare.

Limits of two years

“The IVAC has recognised his post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorders, brain injury in addition to fractures to the elbow and the nose, but they say that ten weeks of compensation, it is sufficient”, said the lawyer, who recently filed a petition before the administrative Tribunal of Québec, to force the IVAC to reconsider its decision.

The time limits are, however, two years before the case is heard. By then, Ms. Bolduc can’t make ends meet despite the social assistance she receives, so it must in particular pay for her many treatments in psychiatry and psychology.

Panic attacks in public

In addition to not being able to lift large load, since the nerves in his shoulder were affected, Ms. Bolduc said to be struggling with panic attacks when she finds herself in public. “The way people look at me, it is difficult,” says the one that just barely hold back his tears by narrating the tragic events.

“With his scar on the face, it prevents them from working, especially in the public, as it fuels his anxiety and all the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. She was attacked in her sleep, so their sleep is also disrupted,” says mr. Bellemare.

Ms. Bolduc will also undergo two other surgeries of the face, in addition to another at the elbow, as she has already gone under the knife four times since the events. “Every time my face is in a bad state and I have to relive always the same case, it is very difficult,” says the one who received 70 stitches.

Sentence appeal

Mr. Bellemare also asked the Director of criminal and penal prosecutions to carry the sentence of 54 months which has hurt the aggressor in appeal. As Yannick Fortin, 24, is being held preventively for 33 months, he remains, therefore, a sentence of 20 months and 27 days to be served. A sentence is “unreasonable,” said mr. Bellemare, who demand seven years in the penitentiary, as was recommended by the Crown.

“There have been errors of law, including the fact that it has not granted importance to the consequences of the event on the victim. You can also ask questions on the charge of assault to severe. There is a head injury, a blow to the head, numerous blows to the face, a broken nose, and lacerations are deep, that is what he wanted he did not want to kill it?”, if he asked.

Chronology of events

October 28, 2015: Yannick Fortin attack Kathy Bolduc with a machete, while it is “toxic psychosis”, due to drug use. The accused is the brother of the friend of Mrs. Bolduc, with whom she was sleeping at the time of the events.

20 January 2017: Yannick Fortin pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated assault brought against him. He presented no excuse for the victim during the trial.

August 31, 2017: Yannick Fortin scoop of 54 months of imprisonment. The lawyer Marc Bellemare application to the DPCP to carry the sentence on appeal. He suggests that the 7 years of the penitentiary, such as the claimed the Crown.

September 2017: mr. Bellemare files an application before the Court admninistif of Quebec, to force the IVAC to reconsider its decision and indemnify Kathy Bolduc, still unfit to work, nearly two years after the assault.