Justice After Trauma: What The Evans v. CCAST Decision Means For Survivors
Madeleine Cleland’s latest blog covers Evans v. The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto et al. The jury awarded $2.3 million, recognizing the lasting effects of trauma. She explains what this case means for survivors seeking accountability.
When “Yes” Doesn’t Mean Yes: How Civil Courts Look At Consent In Sexual Assault Cases Differently Than Criminal Courts
Like many, I have been distressed by the news of the world junior hockey sexual assault trial taking place in London, Ontario. I am particularly dismayed to hear about the complainant “E.M.’s” nine-da
Wagg Motions: Reforms Needed To Stop Delays And Unnecessary Costs When Accessing Criminal Records For Civil Sexual Assault Proceedings
A question that often arises in civil sexual assault proceedings is how to gain access to evidence collected for the purpose of a related criminal proceeding. A complainant in a criminal proceeding do
Understanding The Risk Of Security For Costs In Civil Sexual Abuse Cases For Survivors Who Live Outside Of Ontario
We often receive inquiries from people who were sexually abused in Ontario, but now live outside of Ontario. This situation can raise challenges. One of these, which we routinely warn people about, is
Sexual Abuse Survivors Beware — The Defamation Risk
This article was originally published in November 2017 Two adult sisters accuse their uncle of sexually assaulting them as young children through spoken words and emails sent to family members. The un
Our Response To A Recent Statement Issued To Parents By The CDSBEO
The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) recently issued a statement to parents . The statement relates to an historic incident of sexual abuse involving a student, by a former o
The Anatomy Of The Tort Of Family Violence – A Promising Development For Survivors Of Sexual Violence
Earlier this year, in Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia 2022 ONSC 1303 , Justice Renu Mandhane of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice gave life to the tort of family violence, ordering a man to pay his former s
In The Hot Seat: Non-Disclosure Agreements In Cases Of Sexual Violence
On November 4, 2021 Green Party opposition leader Lynne Lund introduced the Non-Disclosure Agreements Act in Prince Edward Island’s provincial legislature. This is a bold step that I expect will be fo
Criminal Publication Bans And Your Civil Lawsuit: What You Need To Know
Recently, a sexual assault survivor was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, breaking a publication ban protecting her own identity. The ban had been ordered in a criminal proceeding against the survi
So You Won The Trial? Now It’s Time To Enforce Judgment
After years of litigation and stress, you finally get your day in court and a decision is made in your favour. But is this really success if you can’t collect against the wrongdoer? In civil claims ag
