– “Class action lawsuit filed against former teacher and school board”
– “Multi-million dollar lawsuit filed against former teacher and school board”.
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Introduction
Two former students of St. Matthew Catholic High School in Ottawa have recently launched a class action lawsuit against the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) and former teacher Rick Despatie (also known as Rick Watkins). The lawsuit, seeking a staggering $220 million in damages, alleges that the school board failed to take appropriate action against Despatie for his sexual abuse of students and mishandled the complaints that were made.
The Conviction
Despatie, who was convicted last September, faced charges including four counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual interference, two counts of criminal harassment, and one count of sexual exploitation. Despite being sentenced to two years in prison, Despatie is currently appealing his conviction.
Allegations Against the Ottawa Catholic School Board
According to the Statement of Claim filed in December, the lawsuit argues that the school board received numerous complaints about Despatie’s actions over the course of many years but chose not to address them. The claim states that the board and school officials at St. Matthew Catholic High School downplayed and dismissed multiple complaints due to close personal relationships between Despatie and these officials, including former vice-principal John Purificati.
In addition, the lawsuit accuses the school board of failing to preserve and maintain crucial documents and records related to the complaints against Despatie. It also alleges a lack of proper training for staff on how to handle reports of misconduct by teachers.
Plaintiffs and Extent of the Class Action
The main plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2, were both students in Despatie’s Grade 7 math class in 2014 and 2016, respectively. However, the class action lawsuit extends to all students of St. Matthew Catholic High School who experienced sexual assault by Despatie between January 1, 1989, and April 30, 2021.
Specific Allegations by the Plaintiffs
Jane Doe #1 alleges that Despatie groped her thighs, breasts, and neck. She reported the incident to her mother, who then complained to vice-principal John Purificati. However, the lawsuit claims that Purificati failed to conduct a proper investigation or report the complaints to the school board or police.
Similarly, Jane Doe #2 makes similar complaints against Despatie and reported his conduct to principal Debbie Clark. It is alleged that Clark also failed to conduct an appropriate investigation or report the complaints to the school board or police.
Responsibility of the Ottawa Catholic School Board and Despatie
The lawsuit argues that by continuing to employ Despatie despite knowledge or awareness of his actions, the Ottawa Catholic School Board breached its duty of care towards the students. Despatie, as a teacher, held a position of authority over the students, who were minors at the time, and had a duty of care and fiduciary duty to act in their best interests. The claim states that Despatie’s actions breached these duties.
Damages Sought in the Lawsuit
The class action lawsuit seeks $50 million in damages from Despatie for sexual assault, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of confidence, breach of trust, and negligence. It also requests $25 million in aggravated damages, $25 million in punitive and exemplary damages, and $10 million in damages for the families of the victims.
Additionally, the lawsuit seeks $50 million in damages from the Ottawa Catholic School Board for Despatie’s actions and for the board’s alleged breach of the Occupiers’ Liability Act as well as spoliation of evidence. It also demands $25 million from the board for aggravated damages, $25 million in punitive and exemplary damages, and $10 million in damages for the affected families.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs are seeking special damages, including compensation for lost wages, lost earning capacity, out-of-pocket expenses, and cost of care. The specific amount for these damages will be determined during the legal proceedings.
Responses from the Ottawa Catholic School Board and Despatie
The Ottawa Catholic School Board has acknowledged the ongoing lawsuit. It has been forwarded to the Ontario School Boards Insurance Exchange (OSBIE), where specialized legal counsel is overseeing the proceedings. The board states that it does not have direct control over the timelines for these proceedings and intends to defend against the lawsuit.
In Despatie’s Statement of Defence, he disputes the plaintiffs’ claims, considering them “egregious and vexatious.” He intends to represent himself as he claims to lack the means to hire legal representation. Despatie disagrees with the line in the Statement of Claim that states he was found guilty of sexual assault and sexual interference involving four female students under the age of 16 at the time of the offenses.
Impact on the Victims
The Statement of Claim emphasizes that Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 have suffered and continue to suffer severe harm as a result of Despatie’s actions. This harm includes emotional, physical, and psychological damage, chronic anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-injury behavior, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, intense flashbacks, nightmares, difficulties in trusting authority figures, and engaging in sexual relationships, as well as a general loss of enjoyment of life.
The claim also states that the defendants’ wrongful conduct prevented the victims from reaching their true academic or vocational potential, caused delays in their entry into the workforce, and resulted in disrupted and unstable employment histories. As a result, they have suffered economic losses in the form of lost income, lost economic opportunities, and a loss of competitive advantage.
Conclusion
The class action lawsuit against the Ottawa Catholic School Board and former teacher Rick Despatie highlights the alleged mishandling of complaints and failure to protect students from sexual abuse. The plaintiffs seek substantial damages to compensate for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm they have endured. As the legal proceedings unfold, the Ottawa Catholic School Board and Despatie will face scrutiny as they defend against the allegations brought forth by the victims.
–With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Graham Richardson.
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– “Class action lawsuit against former teacher and school board”
– “Multi-million dollar lawsuit filed against teacher and school board”.
