Victims Financial Benefits Tribunal, Connors Suicide

As a child I went through severe ongoing sexual abuse under the threat of death by 4 older children / teenagers from the age of 3.5 – 6.5. My attackers were both male and female. In 2010 I submitted a Victims Financial Benefits Application to the Solicitor General and Office of Public Security and received the decision that as a 3.5 year old child I had consented to be sexually assaulted. As that makes entirely no sense I asked for a review tribunal and with the help of Dr. and QC and my birth parents in attendance; they decided that between the ages of 3-7 I could not have consented to sexual assault because that’s impossible and rewarded me a substantial sum which I used for psychological healing with EMDR.

I write blatantly and honestly about being a victim of sexual abuse as a child because sexual harassment and abuse is so prevalent in the Classical Music industry.

The Tribunal in 2012 was very trying and I remember them telling me that they weren’t the enemy and not to be so angry at the Tribunal members. The Solicitor General of Alberta was the deciding body that said “Cynthia consented to be sexually assaulted at age 3.5-6.5” and I’m glad the Tribunal had some sense. If you are wondering why Classical Music hides it’s abusers in public positions of fame, it’s because they haven’t yet learned that consent can’t be given under duress or between individuals with differing power dynamics in a professional setting. It’s also because the culture of Classical Music is outdated and that safety of singers and musicians contributes to better sound and a healthier environment for all staff.

I currently work part time as a Forensic sketch artist and as a Victim’s Advocate as licensed by the Department of Justice in the US. I have worked on rape cases, kidnapping cases, missing women’s cases all across Alberta and BC.

My work in Opera is informed by my experience as a victim of crime and now as an advocate as many of the characters I embody are victims of sexual abuse and harassment in the Operas I am cast in.