Cadets Institutional Abuse
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Former Army, Sea, And Air Cadets Who Have Experienced Abuse, We Are Here To Help
Preszler Injury Lawyers represents survivors of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse who were once members of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Royal Canadian Army Cadets, and Royal Canadian Air Cadets. If you have experienced abuse while involved with these organizations, we encourage you to reach out to explore your legal options with us.
The impacts of abuse can be far-reaching, even if you are not fully aware of how deeply it may have affected your life. No matter what form the abuse took, you may be entitled to seek justice and compensation from the cadet organizations that failed to protect you or took insufficient steps to prevent the abuse.
Abuse is not limited to the most severe forms of sexual misconduct. If you were ever made to feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or violated by a cadet leader, your experiences matter, and you may have a claim.
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What Are The Cadets?
The Canadian military cadet organizations have a long history, dating back to before Canada’s Confederation in 1867. Originally formed to teach young men military skills and foster good character, these programs in Canada have grown into three branches: the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Royal Canadian Army Cadets, and Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Today, these organizations are open to both young men and women, typically between the ages of 12 and 18.
These organizations aim to create bonds between civilians and the military, promote teamwork and leadership, and encourage interest in military careers. The programs are partially funded by the Department of National Defence and supported by civilian non-profit leagues, which provide many adult leaders.
Why Should I Come Forward?
Historically, these programs have often recruited young people from underprivileged or low-income backgrounds, believing that the structure and discipline offered by cadets could help build resilience and character. Tragically, some adults in positions of authority within these organizations misused their power, causing harm to those entrusted to their care.
If you are a survivor of abuse within the cadet system, we encourage you to contact Preszler Injury Lawyers. We are here to listen to your story, support your search for justice, and help hold those responsible for your pain accountable.
Every cadet organization owes a duty of care to its members. If they failed to meet that responsibility—whether through poor hiring practices, inadequate supervision, or other failings-you have the right to seek legal action.
Choosing to pursue a legal claim may be an important step in regaining control over your life and addressing the effects of the abuse you endured. It’s important to know that most cases of this nature are resolved without going to trial, and you will always be in control of the process as our client. Your privacy and well-being are our top priorities.
Is It Too Late To Seek Justice?
No, it is not too late. The law has removed the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims, meaning your right to seek justice is still protected, no matter how much time has passed. You are not required to have reported the abuse in the past, and it’s completely normal for survivors to take time before feeling ready to share their story.
When you feel ready, we are here to support you at your own pace. Your journey is personal, and we will walk alongside you, ensuring you have the care and understanding you need.
Are There Other Cadet Organizations Beyond Those Listed?
Yes. The Canadian Rangers, an army reserve unit, operates in remote areas of Canada, including the North. Its youth wing, the Junior Canadian Rangers, offers programming similar to that of the cadets for young people aged 12 to 18. The Navy League of Canada, a civilian organization supporting the Sea Cadets, also runs the Navy League Cadets, for children aged 9 to 12.
How Has The System Changed To Support Survivors?
Many survivors of institutional abuse have faced disbelief, indifference, or anger when they have tried to speak out. These reactions can silence victims and worsen feelings of shame and self-blame.
While challenges remain, there have been meaningful changes to ensure the justice system responds to abuse survivors with greater understanding and care.
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we are committed to serving our clients with a trauma-informed approach. We will listen to your story at a pace that feels safe for you, and we will take care to avoid re-traumatizing you throughout the legal process. Building trust through open communication and honest advice is at the heart of our work.
Is This A “Class Action”?
Your case is unique, and it will not be part of a class action. This is important because your individual story matters. The harm you experienced and the impact it has had on your life deserves to be addressed on its own terms. You are not just one of many in a group—your experience is personal, and it will be treated that way.
By pursuing an individual legal action, we can focus entirely on your story, ensuring that what happened to you is fully understood and acknowledged. We will carefully examine how the abuse has affected different areas of your life—whether emotionally, physically, or financially—so that your specific needs and circumstances are recognized.
This approach allows your voice to be heard. Your story will not be lost among many others, but will stand on its own, receiving the attention and care it deserves. We will work with you at a pace that feels comfortable, ensuring that you remain in control of the process.
Common Experiences Of Survivors
While every survivor’s journey is deeply personal, you may relate to some of these experiences:
- Emotional challenges, such as feelings of anger, depression, or shame
- Difficulty building or maintaining relationships and issues with trust
- Impacts on your mental and physical health
- Challenges with substance use
- Struggles in maintaining stable employment
- Distrust of authority figures
- Enduring emotional or physical pain and suffering
It’s important to remember that none of these struggles are your fault. You are not to blame for what happened to you. Together, we will explore how the abuse has affected your life, ensuring your voice is heard and your story acknowledged. Your experience matters, and we are here to support 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.
Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers About Your Cadet Institutional Abuse Claim Today
If you are ready to take the next step, contact our team at Preszler Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. You can reach us at our toll-free number at 1-888-608-2111 or book an appointment online. We are here to discuss your case, offer guidance, and help you find the path forward that feels right for you.
Because we work on a contingency basis, you will not owe us anything unless we secure compensation for you. We look forward to hearing from you.
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institutional abuse Settlements
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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.
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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