Survivor’s Statement
October 3, 2006

Good morning.  My name is Norm Cormier.  When I was 12 years old, I was sexually 
abused by Father Daniel McSheffery.

Today, after more than 30 years, I finally have the courage to stand here and say 
that I was a victim of sexual abuse by a Catholic Priest, at St. Augustines School 
in Hartford.  Father Daniel McSheffery abused me over a two year period.

For decades I thought I was the only one this happened to.  Then, one night during 
dinner, I heard that Father McSheffery was being sued for assaults on two other 
victims.  At that point, I realized that I was not his only victim.  After living 
in silence for 34 years I decided to stand up to this perpetrator and make my 
voice known.

It was the other victims coming forward that made me realize I was not alone in my 
struggle.  If there is anyone else out there that went to St. Augustines School and 
was abused by this man, please come forward and make your voice known.

There is a wonderful support group called SNAP that supports victims of sexual abuse.  
It is a group of survivors who help each other and help themselves to deal with the 
anger, the hurt, and all the other after effects of being sexually abused as a child.  
I urge anyone who was sexually abused to contact SNAP.

Thank you.