London school named in lawsuit against four schools for the deaf

A school for the deaf in London is amongst four schools at the centre of a class action lawsuit related to the alleged abuse of students.

The lawsuit, filed by Koskie Minsky LLP in Toronto, is seeking a reported $325 million for abuse claims dating back to the 1950s.

The Robarts School for the Deaf in London is named along with Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton; Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville; and Centre Jules-Léger in Ottawa.

The schools are administered by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

The class-action was started by, Christopher Welsh, a former student of the Robarts School for the Deaf and the Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf.

It’s alleged that the province failed to ensure the safety and well-being of students at these four schools. Claims include physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.

In a release, co-lead counsel Kirk Baert says, “Instead of a safe, supportive learning environment, students suffered in an atmosphere of fear and violence where their dignity was taken away."

None of the claims have been proven in court.