(Montreal) A request for class action against a school service center (CSS) in Abitibi-Témiscamingue in a case of sexual assault committed by a former high school teacher was authorized on Wednesday by the Superior Court. A first in Quebec that could have an effect on the responsibility of CSS for the safety of children during denounced sexual acts, according to the law firm representing the plaintiff.
The legal action is aimed at the CSS de l’Or-et-des-Bois in connection with the alleged actions of Jean-Pierre Colas, who is now dead. He was a French teacher and water polo coach at Polyvalente Le Carrefour in Val-d’Or between 1972 and 1993.
“What is alleged is that throughout the period he taught at Le Carrefour high school he sexually assaulted different students,” said the lawyer leading the class action, Maryse Lapointe, in an interview. of the Montreal law firm Lapointe Légal.
The request for authorization was filed last June on behalf of Jacinthe Boisvert St-Laurent, who claims to have been sexually assaulted by Colas in 1987, when she was 17 years old.
Me Lapointe indicates that a few days after the aggression, the mother of the victim had denounced the situation to the management of the establishment. She would have replied that she was aware of “the problem” concerning the teacher, “but that nothing could be done”.
In 1993, Colas stopped working at the high school after being found guilty of sexually assaulting another of his students. In the case of the acts allegedly committed against M.me Boisvert St-Laurent, no official complaint had been filed at the time, specifies Mr.e The point.
The responsibility of the school in the crosshairs
Now 52 years old, Ms.me Boisvert St-Laurent sees the authorization of the class action request as “a first step towards justice”. She deplores the inaction of those responsible for the school network at the time with regard to the teacher.
The employer knew at the time that he was having inappropriate contact with students and the gestures were ignored. We were not protected. The employer already knew, before my aggression, that this teacher was problematic.
Excerpt from the press release from Lapointe Légal
“If Polyvalente Le Carrefour or the Center de services scolaire de l’Or-et-des-Bois had acted responsibly, I would not have been assaulted. Many teenagers would not have suffered these sexual assaults if the leaders of the time had taken their responsibilities to protect them, ”continues Ms.me Boisvert St-Laurent.
According to Me Lapointe, this is the first class action authorized against a Francophone CSS in Quebec for a case of sexual assault committed by a teacher. And the conclusions of the trial will be to be watched, she believes.
Since the decision could “confirm the legal responsibility of educational institutions towards children who attend schools in Quebec, particularly in terms of sexual assault by a person in a position of authority such as a teacher”, affirms the lawyer.
The Superior Court accepted the class action request, while the CSS de l’Or-et-des-Bois did not present a contestation. Mme Boisvert St-Laurent is claiming a total of $600,000 in damages from the school service centre.
The plaintiff decided to act openly in order to encourage the other victims of Colas to come forward. “For her, a victim of sexual assault does not have to be ashamed of being a victim, even if she understands that some may decide to do so anonymously,” explains Ms.e The point.
Potential victims of Colas wishing to register for the class action can contact Lapointe Legal in a confidential and free manner, either by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 514 688-9169.
At least three to six victims of the ex-teacher could be identified thanks to various legal documents obtained by the plaintiff.
The trial could take place next winter, indicates Me The point. The court will establish the compensation that the members of the class action could obtain.
At the end of the day, the CSS de l’Or-et-des-Bois had not responded to a request for comment.