Deaf Students Allege Abuse
Group of deaf students applying for class-action certification in lawsuit against Sask. government
Deaf children punished for trying to turn in their sexual abusers. That is one of the allegations in a class-action lawsuit being brought against the Saskatchewan government. Tony Merchant is representing 52 former students government-run R.J.D. Williams School for the Deaf in Saskatoon. The Regina Lawyer says students as young as five years old were sexually abused by students in their late teens and early 20's. A Statement of Claim obtained by News Talk Radio alleges when the abused tried to tell staff about what was happening to them they were punished for communicating in sign language. They were being taught to mouth words as a form of communication. Merchant says that is the only language many students knew when they were first enrolled in the school. The claim is seeking damages for emotional, physical and psychological trauma arising from abuse by staff and other students. Merchant is today applying for class-action certification in Regina. He expects the case to go to court by August.
Comments
Yet another Merchant
Yet another Merchant Ambulance chase... why do we give him the publicity.
Human Dignity and Human Rights
Because there are too many people, regardless of color, religion, etc., without a voice or necessary supports to help them live the best lives they can. Many people are improperly treated throughout society, then individuals like you consider them less than human! Many people have life challenges that the average person, like yourself, can't even begin to understand & clearly, have no desire to even empathize with them. Be thankful there is someone out there speaking for people who slip through the cracks - you or someone you care for might need support such as this someday!