Prosecutor of Alice Munro’s Husband Not Surprised Case Remained Secret for Years

A former Crown attorney who prosecuted Alice Munro’s husband reveals that protecting the author’s reputation played a role in Gerald Fremlin’s sexual abuse of Munro’s daughter going unreported despite his guilty plea.

Robert Morris, now a criminal defence lawyer, suggested that the case moved quickly through the court system in 2005, potentially contributing to its lack of public scrutiny.

When Munro’s youngest daughter Andrea Robin Skinner shared her experiences in the Toronto Star, questions arose about why the information remained concealed for so long.

Morris speculated that most of Munro’s family shielded her from the truth to preserve her reputation.

In her published essay, Skinner disclosed how Fremlin abused her from a young age, a trauma hidden within the family for years. Despite revealing the abuse in her 20s, Munro chose to stay with Fremlin until his death.

Skinner’s siblings described the family’s struggle in maintaining the secret, torn between supporting their mother and addressing Skinner’s ordeal.

Even as Skinner reported Fremlin to the police, leading to a suspended sentence, the family secret remained hidden.

Morris noted the quick progression of Fremlin’s case through the court system and the lack of media coverage typical for such cases in a small town.

Skinner’s efforts to bring her story to light over the years had been largely unsuccessful until now.

Morris emphasized the importance of sharing Skinner’s story to raise awareness of the harm caused by abusers and protect children.