Canadian war veteran, Keith Villeneuve, has harboured a dark secret for 50 years, about the abuse he says he suffered at the hands of Quebec’s Youth Protection System. Tossed from one foster home to another from the time he was 18 months old, Keith eventually ended up in the care of the state. In 1967, at age 11, he was placed in Montreal’s Weredale Home for Boys.

Keith told W5 that during his time at Weredale, he was thrown down three flights of stairs by a staff member; and endured not just physical abuse, but verbal and sexual assault.

Thousands of children went through Quebec’s Youth Protection System and now as older adults they are starting to share their heartbreaking stories. They blame the government and want accountability. To that end, many are joining what could become the largest class-action lawsuit in Canadian history.

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