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Violence caused by mental illness has two sides: the random act suffered by the person who experienced the violence and the person with a mental illness who did not have the mental capacity to form criminal intent. Both sides are real. Both sides are relevant. And for both sides, it can feel impossible to move past the event.
However, when mental illness causes violence without intent, healing becomes easier. If each side understands what happened, forgiveness (including self-forgiveness) can help them let go of their anger, accept what happened, and heal enough to enjoy life again.
In his talk at the International Forensic Psychiatry Lecture Series, Andy Bouvier shared his family’s story of violence and forgiveness. He also discussed their advocacy for better mental health care beyond the criminal justice system.
The Event
In 2001, Mr. Bouvier’s daughter Julie entered Walmart with a friend. A random man named Sean Clifton had been pacing and yelling inside the entrance. Julie had looked behind her to see who he was yelling at when he suddenly stabbed her six times with a large kitchen knife.
This senseless, unprovoked attack nearly ended Julie’s life. After multiple surgeries and a year of trauma support, she survived. And then she and her family forgave. And then they thrived.
The Impact
People often see insanity claims as excuses and assume people who commit violence know what they are doing. At the time, Julie’s parents knew nothing of mental illness or schizophrenia. They believed Mr. Clifton knew what he was doing and wanted him punished. They also feared Julie would never feel safe again.
They had never been angry people before, but, in Mr. Bouvier’s words, their anger and hostility now were unbelievable. It was affecting all areas of their lives. So, they reached out, learned, forgave, healed, and began to share.
The Forgiveness and Healing
The family came to understand that their bitterness, anger, and resentment were all part of the unique poison of unforgiveness. They learned that holding on to that would keep causing hateful thoughts, and it could also cause many health issues. The resulting fear, frustration, anxiety, and discouragement would rob them of the ability to live their lives to the fullest.
Counselling showed forgiveness was crucial for healing. However, without understanding why the attack happened, they had no idea where to begin.
Then it became clear to the family that Mr. Clifton had paranoid schizophrenia. He was extremely ill at the time of the attack. He had gone to a treatment centre for help earlier that day but had been turned away. By the time he crossed paths with Julie at the store, he was acting with no clear thought or intent to do harm.
In court, Mr.Clifton was found to be not criminally responsible (NCR) on account of mental disorder. He would serve more time and get more appropriate treatment than he would if had been convicted.
With this understanding, the Bouvier family kept working on forgiveness. And, in Mr. Bouvier’s words, they “knew that forgiveness had occurred because the bitterness, resentment, anger had completely vanished…. We were able to enjoy life again.”
The Sharing
Ten years after the attack, documentary filmmaker John Kastner asked to film the Ontario Review Board’s (ORB’s) meeting on Mr. Clifton’s release. After much discussion, the family agreed. Mr. Clifton expressed remorse and shared that ongoing treatment and daily medication had transformed his life. Until entering the forensic system, he had received no help, even after asking for it the day of the attack.
The documentary, NCR: Not Criminally Responsible, had an overwhelming response. Audiences were moved, and the film had a major affect on the legal community and mental health professionals. Law schools, universities, colleges, and mental health professionals in many countries use the (Canadian) National Film Board document as a teaching tool.
In a follow-up, Not Criminally Responsible: Wedding Secrets, Mr. Kastner captured a meeting between Julie and Mr. Clifton. She accepted his genuine apology and forgave him in person. Both found true closure and healing.
Mr. Bouvier continues to advocate for understanding the forensic mental health system. As a public member of the ORB, he has sat on more than 1,700 hearings, bringing compassion and insight into the complexities of mental illness and the criminal justice system.
The Hope
Mr. Bouvier continues to share his story globally, emphasizing that mental health care is often better in the forensic system than in the community — people often do not receive optimal mental health care until they commit a crime.
One of his hopes is that services will become more available in the community, so people with mental illness can get services before they offend.
For more details, watch the recording of the November 6, 2025, lecture, “The Healing Piower of Forgiveness” on our website.
Written by Carolyn Johnstone and approved by Andy Bouvier.
