A 35-year-old man was the first witness heard Wednesday at the inquiry investigating how child sex abuse claims were handled by police over several decades in Cornwall, Ont.

"I've been waiting for this day for so long now, and it being my birthday today, I'm kind of reborn," said Larry Seguin.

Seguin described a day in 1978 when he was six years old. He was approached by a man in a car who offered him a ride home, and despite declining, Seguin was pulled into the car and sexually assaulted.

Seguin told the inquiry he always felt as if the police didn't do enough to try to find the man who had assaulted him or alert the community, particularly after Seguin went to police a second time a year later after spotting the man's car and giving them a licence plate number.

Premier Dalton McGuinty announced that he was establishing the inquiry in 2005. Norman Glaude, an Ontario court judge since 1990, is the commissioner of the inquiry.

After several people came forward with claims of abuse over a period stretching back decades, the Children's Aid Society and the Ontario Provincial Police investigated.

Several charges were laid, but the only person to be convicted had his charges stayed because the matter had taken too long to go to trial.

Glaude said Tuesday that hearing from witnesses will allow the process of healing to begin in the community.

The inquiry will examine the response of the justice system and other public institutions to the allegations and hear from several witnesses.

The Cornwall police have maintained that the inquiry will establish there was no conspiracy to cover up any abuse claims.

Seguin said he was abused a second time in the fall of 1987 when he was 16 by Edward Desjardins, a friend of his brother.
 
Desjardins pleaded guilty to sexual assault with a weapon and possession of a dangerous weapon and sentenced to a year in jail and three years probation.

Seguin said he had difficulty coping with what happened to him, struggling with bouts of unemployment and turning to drugs and alcohol.

Lawyer Peter Manderville, speaking on behalf of the Cornwall police, said the lack of supporting evidence — required by law in 1978 — hindered investigation of the matter.

Seguin said he would like to see improvements within the justice system and police services regarding the inclusion of victims in the criminal court process as well as the opportunity for victims to speak with either a male or female police officer.

Seguin's mother and another sexual abuse victim are expected to take the stand on Thursday.

With files from the Canadian Press