Monday, August 21, 2017

'The tip of a rising iceberg': Lawyer predicts more Alberta sex abuse victims will pursue civil lawsuits

Lawyer Robert Talach
Alberta victims of sexual violence will have greater legal recourse thanks to the province's decision to drop the two-year limit on lawsuits involving sexual assault, says a lawyer who represents those victimized by clergy.

Lawyer Robert Talach says Alberta could see more lawsuits in the future similar to one recently brought against a Catholic religious order over historic allegations of sexual abuse by a Calgary priest and high school teacher.

"I think this is the tip of a rising iceberg in the sense that the way the law was previously in Alberta made it difficult," Talach told Postmedia.

"I think you'll start to see the shroud slip off all these historical claims that weren't able to proceed and it's really going to make a difference."

Prior to the change last May, Alberta required victims to sue for damages within two years of the sexual assault, sexual misconduct or domestic abuse. Victims could extend that to an ultimate limit of 10 years if they could demonstrate there was a significant impediment to proceeding sooner.

Talach's practice is one of the few in the country primarily dedicated to sexual abuse. The Ontario-based lawyer says his firm tries between 85 and 100 cases a year from across Canada, many involving educational institutions, youth organizations or clergy.  (more...)


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