Toronto-based boys camp sued by former student and staffer over alleged sexual assaults | 24CA News

Canada
Published 02.08.2023
Toronto-based boys camp sued by former student and staffer over alleged sexual assaults  | 24CA News

An unique Ontario boys’ camp and its director are being sued by a former scholar and a employees member alleging that the director sexually assaulted the 2 people and that the camp didn’t act to guard both particular person.

David Latimer, age 61, has been the director of Camp Kilkoo since 1985, in accordance with the Kilcoo web site.

The two lawsuits, filed July 28 in Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Bracebridge, search $5.5 million in damages.

The allegations haven’t been confirmed in courtroom.

In the declare filed by the primary plaintiff, a 39-year-old recognized as J. Doe #1, the lawsuit states that they attended a week-long out of doors training program with their mom, sister, and sister’s Grade 7-8 class from Horizon Alternative Senior School.

The plaintiff attended this system two years in a row between 1990 and 1993, in accordance with the declare.

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The lawsuit alleges Latimer used his place to construct belief with the plaintiff, who was between seven and 10 years outdated on the time, in accordance with the assertion of declare.

The declare says Latimer paid J. Doe #1 particular consideration, calling them by a nickname and shopping for them presents, together with stuffed animals and a hat. Latimer’s consideration made J. Doe #1 really feel particular and valued, they usually started to view Latimer as somebody they might belief and depend on,” in accordance with the authorized declare.

At one level, in accordance with the lawsuit, the unidentified camper was sexually assaulted.

“While in the garage, Latimer sexually assaulted J. Doe #1. Latimer trapped J. Doe #1 against the wall by pinning them with his body. Latimer kissed J. Doe #1’s lips and neck, and groped their body with his hands, both above and under their shirt and pants. J. Doe #1 could feel Latimer’s genitals on their body. J. Doe #1 was unable to move or leave. The assault lasted approximately 5 minutes,” in accordance with the assertion of declare.

Following the alleged assault, “J. Doe #1 was manipulated by Latimer into believing that they were in a romantic relationship with Latimer,” the declare states.

The second authorized declare, filed by a plaintiff recognized as J. Doe #2, entails a lady who attended the camp when she was between 12 and 14 years outdated.

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The declare alleges that Latimer “gave her an affectionate nickname and told her that she
was special.”

Subsequently, through the faculty 12 months, “Latimer and other senior staff of Kilcoo Camp attended Williams Parkway Senior Public School to promote their programs and put on special performances. J. Doe #2 eagerly looked forward to these visits, and screamed and cheered for Latimer, whom she deeply admired.”

The lawsuit alleges that J. Doe #2 was employed as a crew member on the Kilcoo camp and was liable for administering Kilcoo Camp programming. She labored there till she was 23, the lawsuit alleges.

Having been flattered by Latimer’s attentions, the lawsuit alleges Latimer engaged in a course of egregious conduct in the direction of J. Doe #2 when she was 19, through which she was subjected to a collection of sexual assaults beneath the guise of a non secular and romantic relationship. The assaults came about in varied locations, each on and off Kilcoo Camp property, together with however not restricted to Latimer’s cabin, home, and automotive, J. Doe #2’s cabin, and Latimer’s workplace at Greenwood College School (in Toronto),” the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit alleges J. Doe #2  was subjected to sexually express textual content messages and cellphone calls; pornographic movies; having her physique fondled; and masturbation by Latimer in her presence.

“Latimer also made many sexually inappropriate comments to J. Doe #2 about her appearance and body, including her lips, which he said were ‘beautiful’ and ‘great for a blow job,” the lawsuit states.

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“Latimer also frequently referred to her as the ‘hottest camp girl of all time’. These comments made J. Doe #2 anxious and uncomfortable, however, she was afraid to object or complain because she feared she would suffer reprisals, lose her job, or face other risks if she objected or otherwise disobeyed Latimer’s instructions,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuits allege Kilcoo Camp breached its duties within the instances of each plaintiffs, by “failing to implement any, or adequate, screening systems to determine and ensure the appropriateness of its staff, including Latimer.”

Neither Latimer nor Kilcoo Camp has up to now filed an announcement of defence in both authorized motion.

Global News went to Latimer’s north Toronto house on Tuesday in an effort to acquire remark. The door was not answered and the house appeared unoccupied.

Kilcoo Camp responded to a Global News inquiry by e mail and issued a written assertion.

“Upon learning of a potential claim, Kilcoo immediately made leadership changes and Mr. Latimer is no longer Camp Director, he is not on site, and is not involved in the operations of the organization. We are contacting local authorities and will offer our full cooperation. The safety of our campers and staff is always our top priority,” reads the assertion.

The Kilcoo assertion acknowledges that legal professionals served two statements of declare alleging the previous director engaged in two sexual assaults — one in 1990 with a faculty camper and one other in 2009 with a former employees member.

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“While the claim names the Camp, the allegations only involve the actions of the former director. They are extremely troubling,” reads the Kilcoo assertion.

Kilcoo Camp has appointed Aldrin Primaylon as camp director, in accordance with the assertion. Primaylon, who held a senior place with the camp for a few years, “is committed to caring for campers”, the assertion reads.

“The allegations are not linked to the summer camp’s current operations,” the Kilcoo assertion continues, including it is going to don’t have any additional remark.

On its web site, Kilcoo boasts of its ethos as a “maker of men” with a convention of character management improvement.

In a letter to oldsters of campers who’re attending Kilcoo for the month of August, at a value of $5,900 plus HST, the camp states that the group has “moved so quickly to deal with this situation” and that the protection of campers is a high precedence.

“Camp will operate exactly as it has for 92 years. The incoming campers will have the same experience they always have had and the one they are looking forward to.”