Exclusive: Paxton's victim: What I endured is torture

You may remember the story that grabbed the headlines back in 2010 when a man was dumped at a Regina hospital near death. His tormentor was convicted and imprisoned in Alberta. Today we hear from the victim, the man who has never spoken at length until now. We have sought him out, not to linger on his pain but to expose his reality and consider what is now his mission ... to have non-state torture recognized and prosecuted as a separate crime.

We also hear from two advocates who argue that countless Canadians from young children, to spouses, to the elderly endure unspeakable and recurring brutality at the hands of those they had believed they could trust.

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I was choked every day. I was punched every day. I was hit with a cane. I had to sit there and have him whip me with extension cords. I wanted the pain to end. That's all."Thomas"

The torments endured by the man we're calling "Thomas" defy belief. They constitute one of Canada's most incomprehensible crimes. For months, he was viciously assaulted by a man he once considered a friend.

Dustin Paxton has since been convicted of aggravated and sexual assault for what he did to "Thomas," but his victim says assault doesn't even hint at what Thomas endured. 

Shortly after the two became roommates in Calgary, the beatings began. And these were savage attacks. Thomas' physical appearance was damaged, so was his mind. It ended only when his broken body was dumped outside a Regina hospital, close to death.

• Dustin Paxton fits dangerous offender criteria, Crown argues -- CBC News

His attacker is in prison now, and Thomas is safe. But he is forever changed. We cannot give his real name because of a publication ban, but we can give you a first hand account of what he went through because today, for the first time, he's agreed to speak at length publicly about what he endured.

Thomas is with his mother, whom we're calling Shannon. Because of his injuries Thomas' voice sounds different than it used to. We're altering his mother's voice to protect their identity. And it probably goes without saying, but some of this conversation will be difficult to hear. 

Thomas and Shannon joined us from their home in British Columbia.

Dustin Paxton has been convicted of aggravated and sexual assault. In December, a judge will rule whether he will be declared a Dangerous Offender.

Some believe Canada should officially recognize this kind of crime as -- torture. Jeanne Sarson and Linda MacDonald are both Registered Nurses in Nova Scotia; 20 years ago they founded Persons Against Non-State Torture, an organization that offers support services for victims such as Thomas. They were in Halifax.

Faisal Bhabha says he is very sympathetic to the sufferings Thomas endured. But he thinks Canada already has ways to prosecute these kinds of crimes. Faisal Bhabha is a law professor at Osgoode Law School at York University. He was in Toronto.

If would like to comment on whether or not you believe the criminal code should acknowledge non-state torture, let us know.

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This segment was produced by The Current's Peter Mitton and CBC News Network Associate Producer, Kim Taylor-Galway.