$13M class-action settlement approved for sexual abuse at N.L. youth homes

Newfoundland and Labrador's Supreme Court hasapproved a $12.8-million class-action settlement for victims ofsexual abuse at several provincial youth facilities from 1973 to1989.

The judgment, dated Aug. 31, says the abuse occurred at threeNewfoundland institutions for young offenders and youth in carethatwere operated by the provincial government, the sole defendantin the case.

The written decision from associate chief Justice Rosalie McGrathsays the sole female plaintiff in the case alleges she was sexuallyassaulted by three different staff members from 1979 to 1982 at agirls' home.

McGrath says one male plaintiff accused a priest from the boys'institute in Whitbourne, N.L., of taking him to a cabin, drugginghim and then sexually assaulting him.

The document says a third male plaintiff said he was sexuallyassaulted "many times" by two guards at the Whitbourne school in1974.

The $12.8-million settlement includes $12.5 million for claimantsand administration fees, as well as $10,000 for each of theplaintiffs and $250,000 to publicize the case so that others maycome forward and make abuse claims.

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