Compensation sought for sexual assault
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Jan 29/01) - Men who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Edward Horne are seeking compensation.
The 49 men filed a lawsuit in the Nunavut Court of Justice Jan. 22 against the governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Amount of damages was not specified.
They allege in the statement of claim that the defendants failed to protect them from "an educational environment which would or could expose them to sexual assaults and thereby cause them to suffer physical and emotional abuse and other injuries."
The men say they were sexually assaulted by Horne when he was a teacher in three Nunavut communities, Cape Dorset, Sanikiluaq and Iqaluit (Apex).
They claim they have suffered "irreparable psychological harm and other severe impairments and disabilities" as a result.
Geoffrey Budden, lawyer for the men, said they hope the compensation issue can be resolved through negotiation.
"Court is a traumatic thing for everybody, but if we have to go to litigation, that's what we have to do," he said from his office in Newfoundland.
The Government of Nunavut said in a press release that it is seeking legal advice, but also hopes to avoid a court clash.
"It is hoped that the litigation can be conducted using alternative dispute processes," the statement said.
The government of the Northwest Territories had not responded to the lawsuit by deadline.
Horne pleaded guilty last September to 20 counts of sexual assault and is serving a five year sentence.
