A Sherbrooke woman is trying to warn others after her ex-boyfriend who was convicted of sexual assault and distributing child pornography was spotted on dating apps.
Kayla Pelletier says she only realized what she endured when she heard the stories from the “me too” movement. That’s when she knew she had to act against her ex-boyfriend.
“When his name was called out in the ‘me too’ movement and everything, I realized I was abused. That was not okay because when I was 16 or 17 years old, I met him and I knew nothing about the relationship, I didn’t know nothing,” she said.
“And I thought it was normal that he was abusing me or having sex with me, even if I said no.”
In 2022 Alexis Beaulieu-Begin pled guilty to sexual assault and distribution of child pornography.
“I thought it was over because it took four years of jail and I was like, ‘Okay, that’s perfect. I, will never hear about him again. But I was wrong,” said Pelletier.
Recently, a friend of hers was scrolling through dating apps when they found profiles of Beaulieu-Begin looking for another partner. He is already out of jail less than halfway through his four-year sentence.
Neither the Parole Board of Canada nor Beaulier-Begin’s lawyer responded to CTV News’ request for comment as to why he was released.
Sexual assault resource workers say victims can be retraumatized and having information is key.
Kelly Laramie, Centre d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (CALACS) says the first step is victims need to be aware of any release including the conditions. She says there can be a big sense of insecurity knowing their aggressor is free.
Now at 25, Pelletier is still dealing with what happened to her.
“I went in a in the very big depression like for almost three years,” she says. “Now in 2025, I realized that I could not heal from this.”
“I just found myself disgusting. I’m sad ... I have difficulty for people to touch me.”
Pelletier wants to share her story to warn others.
“Be aware of who you talk when you’re on this kind of app. Like always do research of the name on Google,” she says.
“I just want to see some change in justice … I want this to be taken more seriously.”
Pelletier came forward after hearing stories like hers. Now she hopes her experience can do the same for others.
