Big Brothers (and Big Sisters) Sexual Assault and Abuse Investigations in Ontario
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Table of Contents
Published: February 27, 2025 | Last Reviewed: January 27, 2026
Introduction
Parents and guardians enroll their children in the Big Brothers (or the similar but female-oriented Big Sisters) program with the hope of providing them with mentorship, guidance, and positive role models. The program is designed to offer children meaningful relationships with adults who can inspire them, help build their confidence, and contribute to their emotional and social development. It represents a safe space where children can grow and thrive. Tragically, however, many children within this program have experienced the opposite. Instead of finding support and guidance, some “little brothers” have been subjected to sexual abuse, a gross violation of the trust placed in their mentors. This betrayal runs contrary to the core values of the Big Brothers program, and it is essential to address these failures, seek accountability, and support survivors in their pursuit of justice.
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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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Sexual Assault Lawyers For Survivors Of Big Brothers Abuse
If you were a “little brother” in the Big Brothers program and experienced sexual assault or abuse by your “big brother,” you have the right to seek justice and compensation. This is also the case if you were a “little sister” who suffered sexual abuse or assault by a mentor. Local branches of Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Ontario are member agencies of a countrywide federation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Your “big brother” was likely someone you trusted and looked up to. If they betrayed that trust and abused their position, you deserve accountability. We are here to help you hold those responsible accountable.
Your First Steps With Us
From the moment you reach out to us, our team is here to listen. You can share your story at your own pace and in your own way. We are here to support you, explore the legal options available to you, and work together toward finding justice. No amount of compensation can undo what happened, but it can provide validation, help recognize the failings of the institution and offer support as you move forward.
Understanding Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is not limited to violent or forced acts. It includes any form of unwanted or inappropriate sexual contact, regardless of severity. If you experienced abuse and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada failed in their duty to protect you, we are here to hold them accountable.
What If My Big Brother Was Never Charged?
It’s common for survivors to delay reporting their abuse, and that is completely understandable. Even if formal charges were never brought against your abuser, you still have the right to pursue a civil claim. Criminal charges are part of the criminal justice system, while we focus on building a civil case against the responsible institution. Our role is to collect the necessary evidence to support your claim and ensure that those accountable are held responsible for their actions.
What Situations Can Lead To A Claim?
We are prepared to handle claims involving incidents such as:
- Unwanted touching or sexual acts
- Abuse that occurred over or under clothing, in private or public settings
- Single or repeated incidents
If you’re unsure whether your experience qualifies, we are here to listen and help clarify your legal options. Many survivors doubt their own experiences, but we are committed to levelling the playing field against large institutions like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Common Experiences Of Survivors
Every survivor’s journey is unique, but you may recognize some of these effects:
- Emotional struggles like anger, depression, or shame
- Difficulty in relationships or trust issues
- Impact on mental and physical health
- Substance abuse
- Difficulty maintaining stable employment
- Distrust of authorities
- Lifelong pain and suffering
These struggles are not your fault. You are not to blame for what happened. We will discuss how the abuse has affected you and ensure your voice is heard.
Is It Too Late To Seek Justice?
The law has eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims, meaning your right to seek justice remains intact, no matter how much time has passed. There is no legal requirement to have reported your abuse, and many survivors take time before they feel ready to share their story. We are here to support you when you are ready.
What To Expect From The Legal Process
Your involvement in the legal process will be minimal. We will handle the heavy lifting while keeping you informed and supported. Most cases settle before trial and within a few years of commencement.
You control all critical decisions, and we will be with you every step of the way.
What Compensation Are We Seeking?
We seek compensatory damages on your behalf, which can include, but are not limited to:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life and dignity
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages, both past and future
Your settlement will be determined by factors such as how abuse affected all aspects of your life.
Why Not A Class Action?
While class actions often attract media attention, our priority is representing you as an individual. Every survivor’s experience is deeply personal, and we are dedicated to pursuing the best outcome specifically for you. You are not just a “class member” – you are a unique individual with your own story, circumstances, and the specific harm you have endured. Your voice deserves to be heard, and we are here to ensure that happens.
How Do We Get Paid?
We work on a contingency basis, which means you won’t pay anything unless we secure a settlement for you. This ensures our interests align with yours, and you can trust that we are here to fight for you without financial pressure.
Speak With Our Legal Team
We are here to answer your questions and discuss your options with sensitivity and care. Reach out to us for a free, confidential consultation whenever you feel ready.
Call 1-800-JUSTICE today to learn more about how we can help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve. We are available 24/7 to provide support when you need it most.
Co-Authored by Jeffrey A. Preszler
Personal Injury Lawyer
Partner Jeffrey Preszler’s practice focuses on personal injury claims, including motor vehicle accident claims, slip and fall claims, long-term disability claims, and institutional abuse claims.
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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.
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