MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Sophie Desmarais, daughter of legendary businessman Paul Desmarais, delivers a touching testimony about her adolescent experiences as a target of bullying in a short video created for the Jasmin Roy Foundation.
In this unedited account, Ms. Desmarais candidly shares her story, disclosing how she struggled through a very dark period as a result of the bullying she faced. By talking about her own personal experience, she aims to demonstrate that no one is immune to violence or bullying. Ultimately, she was forced to leave everything behind to escape the nightmare. Over time, she has understood the ways that bullying scars a person forever.
"People may believe that being well off means you are spared from this type of situation, but in my case it was the complete opposite. I was the victim of bullying for four long years and the repercussions were striking – I even contemplated suicide. Bullying has no boundaries, no passports, no social status," she says in her testimony.
(Click here to view a clip.)
In 2012, following a meeting with Jasmin Roy, president of the foundation that bears his name, Ms. Desmarais shared her story for the first time. Since then, she has dedicated herself to the cause and has become passionately involved in developing and promoting the Foundation's mission to fight discrimination, bullying and violence against primary and secondary school children.
The Foundation is in the process of being approved by the United Nations. Ms. Desmarais participated in founding the Fleur de Jasmin Foundation, in Corsica, that will act alongside the Jasmin Roy Foundation in Quebec.
Benefit concert on February 16 at 8 p.m. at the Corona Theatre
Jean-Pierre Marcellesi, who notably participated in tours with Isabelle Boulay, Patrick Bruel and Yves Duteil, will entertain guests, inspiring them to move to the sounds and rhythms of the Mediterranean, while Jean-Pierre Ferland will perform with pianist Daniel Mercure. Acting as the concert's producer and artistic director, Ms. Desmarais will also sing on this special occasion.
Luc Plamondon lends his pen to the cause
Lyricist Luc Plamondon, a good friend of Sophie Desmarais', is currently working with Jean-Pierre Marcellesi to write a song on the theme of bullying.
SOURCE Sophie Desmarais
Image with caption: "Jasmin Roy Foundation’s sponsor of honour reveals heavy past. Sophie Desmarais, daughter of legendary businessman Paul Desmarais, delivers a touching testimony about her adolescent experiences as a target of bullying in a short video created for the Jasmin Roy Foundation (CNW Group/Sophie Desmarais)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160213_C6118_PHOTO_EN_620284.jpg
For interview requests with Sophie Desmarais: Jean-Philippe Lepage, Oxygène, (514) 260-1819, [email protected]
Share this article