After being convicted of sexually assaulting a minor, singer Midaz launched a foundation to prevent these tragedies

A man convicted of sexually assaulting a minor during a party he hosted is launching a foundation to prevent the situations that led to his act and atone for the harm he caused.

• Read also: Sexual assault of a 15-year-old minor: Singer Midaz’s appeal rejected

• Read also: One of three Victoriaville rapists released

In the early 2000s, the career of Pierre-François Blondeau, singer of the burgeoning electro-pop group, was in full swing. In addition to opening for LMFAO at the Quebec Summer Festival, the man we knew under the alias Midaz began to infiltrate the American scene.

But everything collapsed during a Crazy party Targeting young people aged between 15 and 25 for whom he was the facilitator, in Victoriaville, in October 2014. During this evening, Mr Blondeau had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl.

This event was considered a sexual assault, given that she was under the age of consent and had consumed a lot of alcohol and drugs during the evening.

“When I think about it today, it was not really cool to do this kind of event with minors. It was clear that things could go wrong. “But it was very popular at the time,” confirms the man, who was 21 years old at the time. that time.

Denial and excuses

In July 2017, Pierre-François Blondeau was sentenced to 30 months in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. After losing his appeal, he was released in March 2019 after 11 months in detention.

Mr. Blundo says he had been denying responsibility in the case throughout the legal proceedings, claiming he had no ill intentions.

“I was so focused on the fear of going to prison that I didn’t realize the harm I could cause. I was so convinced of my innocence that I returned to prison wearing a jacket, and that was an invitation to be beaten.”

His journey regarding his responsibility for the crime he committed could only begin after his traumatic time in federal prison. In recent months, he organized a meeting with his victim.

“We talked about that evening and it was the first time I was able to sincerely apologise,” says the man, now 30.

Raising awareness among men

Nearly 10 years after the crime, Pierre-François Blondeau is now preparing to launch a non-profit organization (NPO) to prevent situations like his, with the help of his prison lawyer.

“It’s part of my story, whether I like it or not. Now, I want to be able to do good using my life experience,” says Pierre-François Blondeau.

Although it is still in its infancy, the Bonhomme Foundation will address men to make them aware of the impact of their actions.

“I want them to realize that even if they don’t have malicious intentions toward women, they can still cause harm. Just like someone drinking and driving and hitting a pedestrian,” says the young man, who still works in the music world as a producer.