THEO FLEURY’S LONG TREK
‘I’m inspired ... by people’s courage’
Saskatoon marks the starting point for a long trek by NHL legend Theo Fleury in support of Victor Walk, a movement hoping to help and give a voice to victims of childhood sexual abuse. This year, Fleury, a victim turned advocate, plans to stop in Swift Current, Moose Jaw and Estevan before completing the journey in Regina on July 22. Before he hit the road on Tuesday, Fleury took a few minutes to speak with StarPhoenix reporter Erin Petrow about what this journey means to him.
Q How did the Victor Walk and the Breaking Free Foundation begin?
A I wrote a book about my experience with childhood sexual abuse and when I went out on a book tour I was getting bombarded from every side. People were coming to the signings and were saying ‘Me too’ — it was unbelievable. Most of these people that were coming to me, I would say, ‘Have you got help?’ and they would say ‘No, there is nowhere to go, nowhere to heal.’ There is a lack of services and over the last two or three years it has become a top-of-mind topic, but all they are doing is talking about awareness. When it comes to government there is no action and we are talking about epidemic numbers of people suffering. We created the Breaking Free Foundation to take action and provide some services to people for free.
Q Was it hard coming forward and telling your own story?
A I was completely exhausted from living in pain and suffering and I tried everything on the planet to get rid of that. The only thing I didn’t try was to actually put words to what I had experienced. Little did I know it would spur a whole movement. We’ve had over 600,000 people either directly or indirectly say ‘Me too’ since my book came out in 2009.
Q After experiencing it yourself, is it difficult to hear other people’s stories?
A If it was hard I wouldn’t be doing this. I have enough healing that I was completely prepared to step into this role. Nine times out of 10 I maybe say two words because all people need is that safe place, and in those short conversations you see the person completely change because they have finally found their voice for the first time.
Q What do you think is the biggest misconception about childhood sexual abuse?
A That it is uncommon. In Nunavut, their stat is 98 per cent of people have experienced sexual abuse and I’ve met kids in northern Ontario who wear eight layers of clothing so they don’t get abused. We can no longer sweep this under the rug. As Canadians I think we have all the tools to take somebody from being suicidal to thriving, so why can’t we be the leading country in the world dealing with trauma, mental health and addiction?
Q What do you find most inspiring about Victor Walk?
A The people. I’m inspired every day by people’s courage, because I know how difficult it was for me to find my own voice, so being able to provide that place where people feel safe is important. When somebody reveals their pain and suffering and the reason for it, the only thing you can feel for that person is compassion and the world doesn’t teach compassion, we teach judgment, we teach point-the-finger, we’re competitive — and that’s just wrong.
Q What advice would you give to people suffering in silence?
A The misconception is that when you reach out for help it means you’re weak. The truth is, people who do that are people of tremendous courage and strength, and not only that, there are millions of Canadians out there going through the same thing. The biggest thing that has helped me is that I have helped other people, and by helping others I’ve healed myself.
This interview has been condensed and edited.