The Superior Court of Montreal has authorized a class action against the Brothers of Charity for sexual assaults that have allegedly been perpetrated for more than three quarters of a century.
The hearing, which took place on December 12, gave rise to a positive response from Judge Pierre Nollet on January 24.
The heir of the original plaintiff, identified by the initials AB, will act as representative for all victims of sexual assault committed in Quebec by a member or employee of the congregation of the Brothers of Charity since January 1, 1940.
The Brothers of Charity have been very involved in primary and secondary education in Quebec over the last century. The organization founded several schools in Quebec, including Mont-Saint-Antoine, in Montreal, and Collège Saint-Bernard, in Drummondville.
A dozen alleged attackers are targeted by the action.
More than a dozen victims have already registered for collective action, said the firm Arsenault Dufresne Wee Avocats, which is leading the case.
According to Me Justin Wee, the victims could however be counted in the hundreds.
“In the case of a single institution like Mont-Saint-Antoine, a reform school – and we know from experience that when the student population was vulnerable, the abuses were worse – it is currently estimated that hundreds of victims will come forward,” says the lawyer.
According to Mr. Wee, the fact of denouncing constitutes an “important step for the victims”, which in addition to allowing them to undertake a process of healing, sends a message to past and future aggressors.
“Proof that society has changed, the victims are no longer ashamed to speak out and that’s good,” he says. From now on, the victims prefer to speak and denounce. It sends a clear message that no crime will go unpunished. »