Daughters allowed to live with parent with a child sex record.

RAINY RIVER -- An Ontario Court judge has ruled that three female children will be allowed to live with their mother and her spouse under strict CAS supervision for one year, even though the spouse and father of one of the girls has been convicted of sexually abusing two young girls in the early 1990's.

Judge Judy the Little of the Ontario Court of Justice ruled that although there is evidence that Mr. R.L.'s risk of re-offending was low to moderately low, "expert evidence suggested that it was low enough to be managed with some confidence under strict terms of supervision that the children's aid society would reinforce."

Further, the judge said that "it would be in the children's best interests to have a good parent and children relationship, which would function to protect them," and referred to expert witness testimony which asserted that "a father who can identify with his daughter and empathize with her is less likely to abuse that daughter sexually."

The judge also noted that Mr. R.L. had not sexually abused anyone since 1993 and had recently completed the Northwestern Ontario Sexual Behaviour Program, including a week-long intensive component of the program. As well, he had also stopped consuming alcohol, and must continue to do so in order to live with the children and his spouse, Mrs. S.L.

Mrs. S.L. had also changed her viewpoint about the risk her children face from Mr. R.L., and now not only understands that risk, but was also definite in her view of taking immediate steps to protect her children, if any inappropriate behaviour towards the girls was demonstrated.

Mr. R.L. must also attend Alcoholics Anonymous and complete the annual relapse prevention program provided by the Sexual Behaviour Program, while both adults are to maintain regular contact with the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program and to complete other parenting programs consistent with the girls' development.