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Boy Scout Abuse

Halifax Boy Scout Abuse Lawyers

Seeking Compensation For Boy Scout Abuse Survivors Throughout Canada

Many young people join Scouts Canada because they want to develop the crucial skills that they need to grow into well-rounded, successful adults. This program is supposed to teach young people leadership skills and give them the opportunity to make meaningful memories with their peers. Unfortunately, some people have used their position of authority within the organization to abuse minors who were placed in their care.

An independent investigation revealed that Scouts Canada had concealed dozens of cases of sexual abuse within the organization that dated as far back as the 1950s. The investigation also revealed that Boys Scouts Canada did not do anything to stop Scout leaders from preying on these vulnerable survivors.

If you were sexually abused by a member of the Scouts Canada organization, you may be entitled to compensation. Speak to the Boy Scout abuse lawyers at McKiggan Hebert as soon as possible to discuss your rights and legal options.

What Are Your Legal Options As A Survivor of Boy Scout Abuse?

If you have been abused by a member of the Scouts Canada organization, it’s important to know your options. There are two main options for survivors of sexual abuse, which are:

Criminal charges: Pursuing criminal charges will help you ensure that your abuser faces punishment for their actions. If you would like to take this route, you will need to contact the police and provide a statement explaining what happened to you. The police will conduct an investigation. If the police can find evidence that supports your allegations, they will pass the case to the crown prosecutor’s office.

The crown prosecutor will determine whether or not to bring criminal charges against your abuser after reviewing the evidence and your statement. If the prosecutor files charges, your abuser may face serious penalties if they are found guilty in court.

One thing to note is that you won’t have control over a criminal case, because it is the Crown Prosecutor that makes decisions about the court process. Pursuing criminal charges may be the right option if your primary concern is to make sure your abuser is punished for their actions.

However, sometimes the abuser is dead, so the police cannot file criminal charges. What happens then?

Compensation claim: Your other option is filing a civil lawsuit with help from our experienced personal injury lawyers in Halifax. The purpose of a civil lawsuit is not to determine whether or not the defendant is guilty of committing a crime. Instead, it is to determine whether or not the defendant caused harm and should compensate the survivor. Filing a civil lawsuit can help sexual abuse survivors recover compensation for the suffering they have experienced and to help pay for the counseling they need and to replace the income they may have lost as a result of the abuse. The defendant will not face jail time or other legal penalties in a civil case. Keep this in mind when deciding which option you should choose.

Simply put, criminal charges are about punishing the abuser. Civil claims are about compensating the survivor for the harm they have suffered.

How Much Time Do Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Survivors Have to Take Legal Action in Halifax?

There are laws in place that restrict the amount of time that plaintiffs have to take legal action. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.

The statute of limitations for assault cases is one year, but this time limit does not apply to sexual assault survivors!

In Nova Scotia the statute of limitations (the time to file a lawsuit) has been changed so that there is no time limit to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for harm or injuries caused by sexual abuse!

Thanks to this law, sexual abuse survivors can file a civil lawsuit against their abusers long after the sexual abuse took place. This gives survivors plenty of time to cope with the trauma of abuse and find the courage to come forward and seek justice.

McKiggan Hebert Investigating Potential Boy Scout Abuse Claims Across Canada

McKiggan Hebert has been retained to pursue possible boy scout abuse claims against Boy Scouts Canada for potential claims involving the following former scout leaders:

  • Douglas Haig
  • Bernard (Bernie) Philips
  • Court Howe
  • John Glover
  • Keith Ambrose
  • George Totten
  • John Garby
  • Robert Dennehy
  • John Perry
  • Kevin Allen
  • Rick Turley
  • Mark White
  • David Wolfe
  • Karl Toft

Schedule A Free Consultation With Our Boy Scout Abuse Lawyers in Halifax

Are you a survivor of Boy Scout sexual abuse? If so, seek legal representation from the compassionate lawyers at McKiggan Hebert as soon as possible. The lawyers at McKiggan Hebert have received national recognition for their work on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse. We have extensive experience handling cases involving child sexual abuse committed by members of Scouts Canada. Our goal is to help you recover the compensation you deserve for the trauma you have experienced.

Breaking the Silence about Sexual Abuse

John McKiggan has written a public legal education guide specifically for survivors of sexual abuse. Click on the link to get a free copy of Breaking the Silence: the Survivor’s Guide to Sexual Abuse Claims.

Learn more about your legal rights as a survivor of abuse by scheduling a free consultation with our team of boy scout abuse lawyers. To book your free consultation, call 902-423-2050 or fill out the form on this website.