Music: {allcanada} Fleury urges tougher penalties for sexual abusers

Thursday, December 6, 2012

{allcanada} Fleury urges tougher penalties for sexual abusers

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TORONTO (AP) -- Former NHL star Theo Fleury wants tougher penalties for sexual predators, saying Canada's justice system makes it a ''Disneyland for pedophiles.''

Fleury is a longtime advocate for victims of sexual abuse. He has launched a campaign demanding that the government strengthen sentences for those convicted of abusing children.

Fleury, a Stanley Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist, was sexually abused by disgraced hockey coach Graham James while playing for him in the 1980s. He says the justice system ''re-victimizes'' those who have suffered from child abuse by being too lenient on perpetrators.

The onetime Calgary Flames star hopes to shore up support for the cause by walking from Toronto to Parliament Hill in Ottawa between May 14 and 23 of next year. He has dubbed the event the Victor Walk.