Two of Team Canada’s men’s world junior hockey teams are being investigated for alleged group sexual assaults that occurred in 2003 and 2018. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, police are now investigating the sexual assault that occurred in 2003, when Halifax hosted the World Junior Tournament. The London, Ontario, police investigated an allegation of group sexual assault stemming from when London hosted the World Junior Tournament in 2018. The London police closed their investigation in February 2019 without charges.[1] However, with the revived scrutiny the London police have re-opened their investigation.[2]
In May of 2022, Hockey Canada settled a $3.55 million dollar lawsuit with a women who alleged that she was assaulted by eight former Canadian Hockey League players following a Hockey Foundation event hosted in London, Ontario, in June of 2018.[3]
The 2003 sexual assault, is reported, to have been a group sexual assault by a half-dozen players on a naked and non-responsive female, which was recorded.[4] Hockey Canada reports that it has only became aware of the incident in mid-July 2022.[5]
Hockey Canada has reported on July 27, 2022, that it had settled with nine sexual abuse complainants since 1989 for total of $7.6 million.[6]
The police investigations are the most recent developments in the ongoing crisis that is hitting Hockey Canada and led to its funding being suspended by both the federal government and several major corporate sponsors. (1)
Your Legal Options After Sexual or Institutional Abuse
At Wagners, we’ve met survivors of sexual or institutional abuse who find it extremely difficult to share their experiences, even with a lawyer. We have a team that is professional and compassionate so you can rely on their experience to explain your legal options and provide the assistance you need to fight for your fair compensation. Abuse survivors can trust us to use the information they share to ensure the person or institution responsible are brought to justice. We take the time to evaluate the specifics of your case and advise on the best legal option to help you receive the monetary compensation you need to recover from the abuse you endured.
File criminal charges: If you take this option, you will not get monetary compensation. Investigations will be done, and the accused will be arrested if sufficient evidence is found. If the defendant is found guilty, he or she could face punishment like imprisonment.
Civil lawsuit: In this case, we pursue the case on behalf of the survivor in civil court. If found at fault, the assailant will be required to pay monetary compensation, which would assist the survivor to recover from the abuse.
Class action lawsuit: It is also possible to file a class action lawsuit against an assailant who assaulted several people. The group of survivors can come together to collectively file a class action suit against the person or institution that was responsible for the assault or abuse.
Compensation
At Wagners, we firmly believe that no amount of compensation can eliminate the pain and suffering that your assailant caused, but there is so much good that comes from a successfully resolved institutional or sexual abuse claim. As a survivor, the monetary compensation you receive can assist you to recover from the abuse and cater to the medical costs involved. Holding the assailant accountable also restores your dignity and encourages other victims of sexual and institutional abuse to come out and seek justice as well.
The amount of compensation you deserve for your sexual or institutional abuse claim will depend on many factors. Some of these factors include:
How the abuse affected your ability to support yourself and make sufficient income
The type of medical treatment you need or you have sought due to the abuse
The personal or unique circumstances of your lawsuit
We know that sexual or institutional abuse is a terrible experience, and many victims usually have a heavy burden that they are likely to carry for a long time. For this reason, we offer reliable legal assistance that you need to get the monetary burden off your shoulders. Our main goal is to build a strong strategy and successfully fight for your rights.
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hockey-canada-investigator-committee-1.6532137
[2] https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canada-2003-world-hockey-junior-team-accused-sexual-assault-1.6529076
[3] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hockey-canada-investigator-committee-1.6532137
[4] https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canada-2003-world-hockey-junior-team-accused-sexual-assault-1.6529076
[5] https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canada-2003-world-hockey-junior-team-accused-sexual-assault-1.6529076
[6] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hockey-canada-house-of-commons-committee-1.6533439