A woman is suing Marymound claiming a support worker sexually assaulted her when she was 12 and under its care.
In a statement of claim filed last week in Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, a woman alleges a support worker, known only as ‘Tara,’ used her position at Marymound, which operates a group home and school, to sexually assault her in or around 1992.
The woman, who is asking for general, special, punitive and aggravated damages, as well as the cost of past and future health care, says she was also left dealing with other health and psychological effects including physical pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, shame, guilt, low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness, nightmares and mistrust of authority figures.
No one from Marymound responded to a Free Press inquiry.
It’s not the first lawsuit targeting Marymound with past allegations of abuse.
Last year, a proposed class-action lawsuit was filed alleging a man and women suffered “extreme” physical and sexual abuse at Marymound in the 1990s.
A hearing has been scheduled for next year to decide whether to certify the class action. The Toronto law firm which filed the application, Koskie Minsky LLP, is asking anyone who was at the facility from 1951 onwards to contact them.
A provincial government spokesman said “the safety of children in care is always our government’s first priority.
“Since 1999, group homes in Manitoba have been subject to formal licensing. Part of this process includes regular reviews of care providers to ensure the safety of the children and youth for whom they provide care.”
The spokesman said the government could not comment further on specifics because the matter is before the courts.
No statement of defence has been filed and the matter has not been adjudicated by the courts.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
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