Scouts Canada Sexual Assault and Abuse Investigation within Boy Scouts and Girl Guides of Canada
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Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada is a national youth organization dedicated to fostering the development of young people through a comprehensive program that emphasizes outdoor adventure, leadership, and community service. Its mission is to help youth build valuable life skills, including teamwork, responsibility, and respect for the environment, all while promoting personal growth and character development. Many are drawn to Scouts Canada because it offers a unique opportunity to experience nature, build lasting friendships, and develop practical skills that will benefit them throughout their lives, all within a supportive and inclusive community.
While Scouts Canada’s mission is rooted in principles of leadership, community service, and fostering personal growth in a safe, nurturing environment, the organization has faced troubling allegations of sexual abuse within its ranks. Despite its core values of respect, integrity, and safety, numerous cases have come to light in which children were exploited by those entrusted with their care. These incidents stand in stark contrast to the organization’s ideals and have prompted significant scrutiny. This dichotomy raises critical concerns about safeguarding practices and the steps necessary to restore trust and ensure the protection of all participants.
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Since 1959, we’ve helped thousands of Canadians get the compensation they deserve with their institutional abuse claims. One of Canada’s oldest personal injury law firms, personal injury law is exclusively what we do. Book a free consultation today with our top-rated personal injury lawyers.
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Helping Victims Of Sexual Assault
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we are deeply committed to investigating claims related to any form of sexual or physical assault that you may have experienced during your time with Scouts Canada. Your voice matters, and we are here to help you seek justice and healing.
The legal system has evolved to become more sensitive to the needs of survivors, providing an environment that prioritizes fairness and your well-being. In most cases, your claim will not go to trial, sparing you from additional distress and allowing you to focus on your healing journey.
We Are Here For You
From your very first conversation with a member of our dedicated team, we aim to create a safe and welcoming environment for you. We are here to listen, believe, and advocate for you. This is your story, and we want to hear it at your pace. We will carefully explore the viability of a legal claim based on the specifics of your situation and the impact the abuse has had on your life.
With Preszler Injury Lawyers by your side, you do not have to continue to suffer in silence. Together, we can work towards finding a path to justice and empowerment. You deserve support, understanding, and the opportunity to reclaim your voice. Let us stand with you in this journey toward healing and resolution.
Who Are We Helping?
Eligible groups within Scouts Canada include:
- Venturer Scouts (Ages 15 to 17)
- Boy Scouts (Ages 11 to 14)
- Cub Scouts (Ages 8 to 10)
- Beaver Scouts (Ages 5 to 7)
Eligible groups within Girl Guides of Canada include:
- Rangers (Ages 15-17)
- Pathfinders (Ages 12–14)
- Guides (Ages 9–11)
- Brownies and Embers (under age 9)
What Is Sexual Assault In This Context?
The term “sexual assault” can be complex and often misunderstood. In the civil context, what many people refer to as sexual assault is more accurately described as sexual battery in tort law. Regardless of terminology, the impact on survivors is profound and deeply felt.
It’s important to recognize that sexual assault is not limited to violent or unwanted intercourse; rather, it encompasses a broad spectrum of experiences. This can include anything from inappropriate touching to more explicit sexual acts. Each experience is valid and can have significant emotional, psychological, and physical effects.
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to holding Scouts Canada accountable for its failure to protect you. Through the legal process, we ensure that they fully comprehend the impact their actions have had on your life. Our goal is to support you in seeking justice and compensation for the suffering you have endured in all aspects of your life.
We are here to help you navigate this journey toward healing and empowerment, and to seek the justice you deserve based on the remedies available under the law. Your experiences matter, and we are committed to advocating for you every step of the way.
What Do Our Scouts Canda Sexual Assault Clients Have In Common?
Although every experience is as unique as every client, we have observed certain effects and outcomes that you may recognize. These include:
- Pain & Suffering
- Mental Health issues
- Substance Abuse
- Relationship difficulties with friends, family and spouses
- Distrust in authoritative persons
- Difficulty maintaining consistent employment
- Post traumatic stress
- Gender or sexual identity issues
Is It Too Late?
The reassuring answer is no—it is not too late. Recent legislation has eliminated the statute of limitations for these types of claims, which means you can act regardless of when the abuse occurred.
If you’re feeling anxious because you didn’t report the incident(s) at the time or to anyone, do not be concerned. There is no legal requirement for you to have done so. We will guide you through the process of gathering the evidence needed to build your case. Our responsibility is to tell your story and establish liability, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
We understand that many individuals may not have felt comfortable speaking out. With our assistance, you are not alone in this journey.
What Does A Lawsuit Look Like?
The legal process may be simpler than you think. Your involvement can be minimal, as your lawyer will navigate the complexities of the legal system on your behalf. While every case is unique, the timeframe for settlement typically ranges from two to four years. This can vary based on individual circumstances, but our goal is to secure the highest and most timely settlement for you.
What Are We Demanding From Scouts Canada?
We will primarily seek compensatory damages on your behalf, which can be categorized into:
Non-Pecuniary Damages
These damages acknowledge the emotional and psychological toll you have experienced, including:
- Pain and suffering
Pecuniary Damages
These damages are intended to cover tangible losses, including:
- Quantifiable losses
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Future care costs
- Any other losses that may arise
Is This A Class Action?
The short answer is no. While class action lawsuits can attract public attention, we do not believe they are appropriate for these types of claims. Your story matters and what happened to you individually matters. You are not just another “class member”. We will represent you individually ensuring that your unique experience and the specific harms you’ve suffered are directly addressed.
How Do We Get Paid?
We operate on a contingency-fee basis. This means you do not need to pay any upfront fees, hourly charges, or expenses during the process. Our payment is contingent upon the successful resolution of your case, aligning our interests with yours in the pursuit of maximum and timely compensation. We will provide a detailed explanation of our fees upfront, ensuring transparency and trust. Preszler Injury Lawyers complies fully with Law Society regulations, and we maintain open communication throughout the process.
Speak With Our Legal Team
CALL 1-800-JUSTICE
To discuss your questions and explore whether we can take on your case, please reach out to our team. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation, approached with the sensitivity and confidentiality your situation deserves. We welcome any information you feel comfortable sharing, knowing it will be handled with care and understanding.
Please don’t delay in seeking the justice you deserve. Our lines are open 24/7, and we look forward to speaking with you.
**CALL PRESZLER INJURY LAWYERS TODAY TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS**
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We are proud to be one of Canada’s oldest and long-standing personal injury law firms. Since 1959, we have been providing exceptional legal services and have established ourselves as leading personal injury lawyers in the Canadian legal community. It’s not just the awards that recognize our achievements, but also the wins we’ve achieved for thousands of Canadians with their institutional abuse claims.
Case Results
institutional abuse Settlements
Please note that past results are not indicative of future results as each scenario presents itself with its unique set of circumstances. But here are some institutional abuse related wins we’ve had for our clients.
More institutional abuse Topics
Here’s more information on institutional abuse related topics that we think you might find helpful.
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September 22, 2023
Consent on Campus: What Students Should Know About Sexual Assault
Many students throughout Ontario are returning to university or college classes this month. For some of the hundreds of thousands of students moving into campus…
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May 16, 2023
Expanding the Historical Scope of the “Remedial Measures” Doctrine
In cases involving negligence claims against institutions in respect of historical wrongdoing – such as cases under ss. 16(1)(h)-(h.2) of the Limitations Act SO 2002…
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April 11, 2023
Loss of Interdependency in Sexual Abuse Claims
Sexual abuse is an abuse of power. It is an assault of a sexual nature that violates the integrity of the perpetrator’s victim. The act…
institutional abuse FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions for institutional abuse claims
I never submitted a police report. How can I prove this happened?
No survivor of sexual assault should worry about not having enough evidence to come forward. We routinely take on cases where our clients have never reported their assault to the police. The only evidence we need to prove a civil sexual assault claim is our client’s story of what happened.
In fact, it is rare for cases of historic abuse to hinge on hard evidence, such as witness testimonies or formal reports. Instead, sexual abuse claims are decided by weighing all of the evidence on a balance of probabilities. Your evidence and testimony count.
I’m worried I stayed quiet for too long. Is it too late?
There is no statute of limitations on sexual abuse claims in the Province of Ontario. That means that, no matter how far in the past your abuse took place, you could still be eligible to pursue a civil claim against the person who perpetrated the crime, or the organization responsible for fostering the relationship between victim and perpetrator so that the crime could occur (depending on the circumstances of the case).
We are often retained by people in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s who were assaulted as children. Even if your abuser is no longer living, you may be able to pursue civil action against their employer, the institution that introduced you to your abuser, or any other responsible party.
The law recognizes that survivors of sexual assault often do not report their assaults for years or even decades after it happened. The law recognizes that survivors of sexual assault deserve justice and fairness no matter when the assault took place.
The person at fault is still alive (and maybe even involved in the organization). Do I have to face them?
In a typical case, you will never see the defendant. Civil sexual assault lawsuits are generally handled by insurance companies and the defendant has little involvement in the process, if any.
If the perpetrator is involved in the lawsuit, you will not have direct interaction with him or her. Fortunately, most sexual abuse cases are settled during a process called Mediation. Throughout this process, an impartial mediator will conduct meetings privately with all parties involved in the claim in order to negotiate a settlement. Since these meetings are conducted privately, plaintiffs pursuing a sexual abuse claim and their lawyers will not necessarily need to interact with the person accused of committing abuse face-to-face.
What does the court process look like?
If a settlement negotiation cannot be reached during Mediation, you, the defendant or defendants, and your respective lawyers will be required to attend a pre-trial before a judge, during which the judge will act as a quasi-mediator in order to help facilitate settlement.
If the case proceeds to trial, evidence will be presented before a judge or jury. You will most likely be required to share your story on the witness stand and will be subject to cross-examination from the accused’s or institution’s legal representation. Witnesses, various experts on damages, and others may be called upon to present evidence and face cross-examination.
Once the evidence has been presented and lawyers for both sides have presented their arguments, the judge or jury will determine the case’s outcome as well as the amount of damages the defendant may be required to pay you.
How many times do I have to tell the story?
We tell all clients that they will only be asked to tell the story when they are ready to do so; there is no rush. We do not even need to know the full details of our clients’ stories before we take on their claim. We only need to know if there was sexual touching of some nature.
Talking about your experience can be emotionally challenging, but it can also be an empowering component of the healing process. Our sexual abuse lawyers appreciate how difficult it can be to talk about this painful subject matter in detail, but we provide a compassionate, safe environment in which you will feel comfortable speaking freely about the abuse to which you were subjected.
Generally, you will need to tell your story at least once before the claim settles. The insurance company will need to understand what happened in order to know how much compensation is fair. We work with clients to ensure they are ready and comfortable to tell their story beforehand.
Your lawyer may suggest that you undergo medical assessments from experts who can determine how the trauma you suffered has impacted your overall quality of life, your ability to earn income, etc. Being open and truthful about your experience during these evaluations can be therapeutic and could help strengthen your case.
Can I remain anonymous?
We can apply to the court to ask for your name to be kept anonymous in court documents. In many cases, we can also settle the claim confidentially without starting a lawsuit.
I don’t think the person who abused me has any money. How could I get compensation?
Many occurrences of sexual abuse arise as a result of the involvement of certain institutions. In many cases, the actual abuser is either deceased, cannot be located, or does not have any assets to compensate the victim. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to pursue compensation directly from the organization or institution that introduced you to the abuser.
Most institutions also have insurance to compensate survivors of sexual assault. If the assault happened in connection with an institution (such as a church, school, company, Boy/Girl Scouts troop, or other organization), then it does not matter if the person who assaulted our client has any assets. We might be able to seek compensation from the institution itself or their insurance policy.
How long does a civil action take?
There is no standard length of time for how long civil actions can take before settlements are determined. However, most sexual abuse claims take between 2-4 years before reaching a resolution.
Got more questions?
If you have more questions or need legal help regarding institutional abuse claims, contact our legal team for help.
We’re happy to help.
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