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Former Church Youth Volunteer Makes Tearful Apology to Parents of Boys He Abused

By Daryl Slade
Calgary Herald
May 10, 2013

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/calgary/Former+church+youth+volunteer+makes+tearful/8368419/story.html

An emotional former church youth volunteer fought back tears Friday as he apologized to the parents of a half-dozen boys he sexually abused and used to make child pornography over a five-year period.

“I’d like to apologize to the court and I’d like to apologize to the parents. I’m very sorry for my actions,” a sobbing Roderick Kyle Janssen, 36, told provincial court Judge Catherine Skene at the conclusion of his sentencing hearing in provincial court.

“I realize it hurt you guys. I just apologize for everything. I want to do everything I can to ensure this will never happen again. I will take all the programs I can. I don’t want this to happen again.”

Earlier, Janssen’s lawyer, Kim Ross, argued for a total sentence of eight to 10 years for the six counts of either sexual assault or sexual interference on the six boys, as well as making child pornography of some of them and distributing many of the 78,841 images and 3,374 videos in his collection.

Ross said it was a key factor that his client has no prior criminal record and doesn’t have any substance-abuse issues with which to deal. He also said Janssen’s sexual attraction to young boys could be a pre-disposition.

He said although there were 47,000 unique images, because there were many duplicates, there was still a huge volume — at the higher end of such cases — and the content was disturbing for him to watch when Crown prosecutor Nadine Nesbitt gave her sentencing submissions, asking for 14 to 15 years.

“It’s very clear he’d position boys in front of the camera, trying to get material he sets out to get,” Ross said. “You have to sentence Mr. Janssen for his moral responsibility. The Crown was very fair in its submissions.

“But the material Mr. Janssen made was never traded on the Internet. He had been engaging in material and disseminated it to users, but the material he made, he did not.

“(Forensic psychiatrist) Dr. (David) Tano says he seems to realize his actions were improper, and is taking steps to deal with this. He recognizes his behaviour was not right. Tano argues if he gets help he is a reduced risk (to reoffend). He could benefit from successful treatment. He will take the programs and he will be an active participant.”

Ross did not argue vehemently against having his client be declared a long-term offender, but said it is not necessary and 10 years is too long, leaving it up to the judge’s discretion.

Earlier, Nesbitt argued for up to 15 years followed by monitoring in the community for 10 years as a long-term offender for Janssen.

She also requested a DNA sample be provided and that Janssen be registered as a sex offender for 20 years and not attend any swimming pools, school grounds, public parks or other places where children are likely to be present. Skene granted all three provisions.

Janssen pleaded guilty in November 2011 to 18 charges involving the sexual abuse of the boys in his church group, and making and distribution of many of the thousands of images and videos.

The judge will pass sentence on June 13.

Contact: dslade@calgaryherald.com

 

 

 

 

 




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