Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse of former students and coverup at private Sask. Christian school
CBC
WARNING: This story contains disturbing details.
Sexual abuse was perpetrated — and covered up — by multiple officials at a private Saskatoon Christian school and adjacent church, say former students.
The allegations are contained in a 30-page statement of claim filed Monday afternoon at Saskatoon's Court of Queen's Bench by Saskatoon lawyers Grant Scharfstein and Samuel Edmondson.
The proposed class action lawsuit follows a CBC News investigation this month into allegations by more than 30 students of widespread physical abuse, solitary confinement, exorcisms and forced political campaigning.
An undisclosed number of former student plaintiffs are seeking $25 million in compensation, as well as other unspecified damages. They also want an immediate and permanent closure of the school, and to permanently prohibit all of the defendants from working in schools with minors.
According to the statement of claim, students "were physically, sexually, psychologically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually traumatized by their experiences." They engaged in self harm and substance abuse, became suicidal, had difficulty maintaining employment or relationships, and continue to require medical and psychological care, it states.
"The harms were each intended, foreseeable and expected consequences of the wrongful acts of the Defendants," it states.
Nearly two dozen officials are named, and the document states others not yet named are also implicated. All were staff, volunteers, leaders or "elders" with the former Saskatoon Christian Centre Church and the Christian Centre Academy school, now known as Mile Two Church and Legacy Christian Academy.
None of the allegations made in the proposed class action lawsuit have been proven in court. No statement of defence has been filed, and defendants have roughly one month to do so.
A Mile Two Church official contacted by CBC News Monday said he will do an interview Tuesday, but needs to speak with a lawyer first.
Some of the students and lawyers involved have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon outside the courthouse in Saskatoon.
The statement of claim alleges "employees, agents and representatives of Mile Two Church Inc. engaged in sexual relationships with students and minor adherents and congregants of the church," and that "Employees, agents and representatives of Mile Two Church Inc. engaged in sexual fondling of students and minor adherents and congregants of the church."
In one case, an adult worker told students "to go with him to the bathroom where he would put candy on his penis and have the girl take the candy with her hands or mouth," according to the claim.
On other occasions, the worker would "cut the pockets out of his pants, and told the girls to reach into the pockets and 'see what surprise I have for you,'" states the claim.
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