At Watson Goepel, we understand that coming forward about institutional or historical abuse is one of the most difficult steps a survivor can take. Whether it happened at school, in a religious organization, in foster care, in a medical setting, or anywhere else you should have felt safe, this type of abuse can leave deep and lasting scars. At our firm, our lawyers provide compassionate, trauma-informed legal support to survivors across British Columbia, guiding them through the civil claims process with care and respect.
If you or a loved one has experienced abuse in an institutional setting, you do not have to face the burden alone. Our legal team in Vancouver is here to help you pursue justice and hold organizations and perpetrators accountable. Although we understand that no amount of money will change what happened, our lawyers will help them heal, move forward, and try to achieve closure.
We offer completely confidential consultations to our clients and those seeking advice, and are dedicated to protecting your privacy every step of the way. To schedule a case review with our lawyers now, call our head Vancouver office at 866-910-1119 or fill out our online case evaluation form.
Understanding Institutional Abuse in British Columbia
Institutional abuse happens when an individual or group of individuals is harmed at the hands of an organization or someone working for or within that organization. Abuse in institutions can take many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, financial, or neglectful treatment.
What sets institutional abuse apart from other forms of harm is that it often involves a significant imbalance of power. Perpetrators of abuse frequently reside in positions of trust or authority, while victims are often members of vulnerable groups, such as:
- Children
- The elderly
- People with disabilities
- Individuals dependent on the institution for housing, education, or medical care
- And other populations
In British Columbia, several cases of institutional abuse have been brought to light and addressed legally. Notably, Rumley v. British Columbia (2001) saw the Supreme Court of Canada set a precedent which confirmed that institutions can be held liable for systemic negligence.
Unfortunately, abuse is rarely the act of a single individual. It often occurs in environments where organizations fail to prevent, stop, or properly respond to harmful conduct. For this reason, survivors of institutional abuse in British Columbia may be eligible to pursue compensation from both the individual perpetrator and the negligent organization.
Common Settings Where institutional Abuse occurs in Vancouver and BC
Institutional abuse may take place (or may have taken place in the past) in a variety of settings and environments, including:
- Residential Schools: Survivors of residential schools in BC and across Canada have shared accounts of physical, sexual, and cultural abuse. These institutions, typically run by churches and sanctioned by the government, left lasting harm on Indigenous communities that they can now pursue compensation for.
- Schools & Universities: When abuse or neglect is inflicted by teachers, coaches, or administrators employed by schools and universities, the organization itself can be held accountable.
- Religious Organizations: This includes misconduct by clergy or leaders in churches, mosques, or temples across British Columbia.
- Foster Care & Group Homes: Children under government or agency supervision, including that of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) under the Child, Family and Community Service Act, may experience neglect or mistreatment.
- Nursing Homes & Long-Term Care Facilities: Seniors may be subjected to physical, emotional, or financial abuse by staff. This can happen in a variety of ways and for many reasons, such as understaffing, inadequate training, lack of funding, and more.
- Correctional Institutions: Correctional institutions like prisons and youth detention centres may fail to address the mistreatment of inmates by guards or administrators.
- Sports & Extracurricular Programs: Exploitation by coaches, mentors, or leaders in youth programs can lead to instances of institutional abuse.
- Medical Offices and Clinics: Abuse can occur when an individual submits to medical examinations or treatments by doctors, nurses, dentists, or paramedical practitioners such as massage therapists, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, etc. This can be particularly distressing for survivors, as they are often at their most vulnerable in these situations, such as being in a state of undress, very relaxed, or under anesthesia.
- And More.
Unfortunately, abuse in these settings is often systemic. Institutions may fail to implement checks and balances, ignore warning signs, or even cover up allegations to protect their reputation. When this happens, survivors can be left to deal with devastating consequences while organizations escape accountability–unless legal action is taken.
The Impacts of Institutional Abuse on Survivors in BC
The trauma caused by institutional abuse can persist for years or even decades after the harm occurs. Survivors may experience:
- Emotional and Psychological Trauma: PTSD, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, and difficulty forming healthy relationships are common side effects for those who have endured institutional abuse.
- Physical Effects: Abuse, especially if it was physical in nature, may result in serious injuries, chronic pain, or long-term health conditions.
- Addiction & Coping Struggles: Because many survivors of abuse are left to manage their trauma without the resources they need, they may partake in substance use or self-harm.
- Economic Consequences: Trauma caused by abuse may leave survivors unable to complete their education or maintain employment.
Statistics Canada reported that adults who experienced abuse in childhood or adolescence were twice as likely to suffer from poor mental health and significantly more likely to struggle with substance use and unemployment compared to non-survivors.
The effects of institutional abuse can ripple outward as well, impacting families, communities, and sometimes even entire generations. Survivors might feel shame, guilt, or isolation if they believe they are to blame for the situation, when in reality, people and institutions they thought they could trust failed in their duty of care.
How Our Vancouver Institutional Abuse Lawyers Can Help Survivors in British Columbia
Abuse survivors in British Columbia have the right to pursue justice through civil claims. Importantly, under the BC Limitation Act, there is no limitation period for claims involving sexual assault or misconduct. This means survivors can come forward months, years, or even decades after the abuse occurred. The law recognizes that disclosing abuse is often a long and painful process, and every survivor should have a chance to seek accountability.
At Watson Goepel, our institutional abuse lawyers in Vancouver can help survivors by:
- Filing a civil claim against the individual perpetrator and, in many cases, the institution that failed in its duty of care. An institution (or institutions) may be held liable if it ignored warning signs, protected perpetrators, or knowingly fostered an unsafe environment.
- Pursuing compensation for both financial and non-financial losses related to the abuse. Survivors may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, therapy and medical expenses, lost wages or career opportunities, and, in particularly egregious cases, punitive damages.
- Filing class actions, where appropriate. In situations where multiple survivors were harmed within the same institution, class action lawsuits may be filed in response. BC court cases, including Liptrot v. Vancouver College, have recognized class actions as a valuable tool to address systemic abuse while minimizing the burden placed on individual survivors.
- Protecting your privacy is of the utmost importance to our Vancouver institutional abuse lawyers. When we file your claim, we can apply for publication bans or request to proceed anonymously using a pseudonym, ensuring your identity remains protected. This is so we can help survivors who are worried about public exposure or impacts on their day-to-day life receive the justice they deserve.
- And more
At Watson Goepel, we understand that legal action is not just about financial compensation. It is also about acknowledgement, accountability, and giving survivors a voice. Our lawyers work with empathy and professionalism, guiding clients through each stage of the legal process in a safe, confidential environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a claim if the abuse happened a long time ago?
Yes. In British Columbia, no statute of limitations applies to claims involving sexual assault or institutional abuse. You can connect with our legal team regardless of when the abuse occurred.
What if I never reported the abuse to the police?
You can still pursue a civil claim, even if you never filed a police report at the time the abuse occurred. Civil cases do not require or result in a criminal conviction, which means the standard of proof is different. Evidence like medical records, witness testimony, or institutional documents can be gathered by our legal team to help support your claim.
Can I remain anonymous?
In many cases, you may be able to remain anonymous. Courts can issue publication bans when requested, meaning survivors may be allowed to use initials or pseudonyms to protect their identity throughout the legal process.
What types of compensation can I receive?
Survivors may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical treatment and therapy, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, punitive damages, and more. An experienced Vancouver institutional abuse lawyer can listen to your story, assess the facts, and help determine how much compensation to pursue.
Contact Our Lawyers in Vancouver Today
Speaking out about institutional abuse takes a huge amount of courage. At Watson Goepel, we are committed to providing survivors with a safe, confidential space to share their stories and explore their legal options. Our team has decades of combined experience in personal injury and abuse litigation, and we are here to help you hold negligent institutions accountable.
If you or a loved one has experienced abuse in British Columbia, you do not have to face this alone. Contact our Vancouver institutional abuse lawyers today for a confidential consultation.
