St. Mike’s suit outlines months of alleged abuse

Teen says 2018 incidents at all-boys school led to mental health issues

Warning: Graphic and disturbing details follow.

A former student at an allboys Catholic school in Toronto alleges in court documents that he endured months of ridicule after being bullied and sexually assaulted by his football teammates, which left him struggling with depression and severe mental health issues.

The teen and his family have detailed their plight publicly for the first time in a motion filed in Ontario’s Superior Court this week after an alleged assault and sexual assault — both involving broom handles — occurred in a locker-room last fall at St. Michael’s College School.

The teen alleges teachers, staff and football coaches at the prestigious private school knew or ought to have known about the incidents, but failed to take to take effective action.

“It is difficult to describe the immense amount of pain, suffering, embarrassment and humiliation that both (the teen) and our family have endured since he was the victim of the assaults,” his father wrote in an affidavit filed with the court.

The teen and his parents, who are not named in the documents, say they plan to file a $1.65-million lawsuit against the school, three former students, the board, the Basilian Fathers who run the institution, as well as the coaches and administration.

The allegations contained in the motion have not been proven in court and those named in the proposed lawsuit have not yet responded.

Police launched an investigation last November into allegations of assault and sexual assault at the school that led to charges against seven teens.

They relate to allegations of two sexual assaults and one assault involving two victims.

Those incidents made international headlines and sparked a nationwide discussion about bullying at school.

Three of the teens have since pleaded guilty to sex assault with a weapon and assault with a weapon — one also pleaded guilty to making child pornography. Another teen is facing trial next year, while the cases against three others have concluded.

The teen, who is referred to as John Doe, alleges in court documents that he was taunted and bullied from September 2018, when the first incident took place, until mid-November when he withdrew from the school. The teen is seeing a therapist and suffers from anxiety, depression, emotional trauma and insomnia, according to the documents.

“This will be a long journey of healing for him and we are trying to surround (the teen) with the resources he needs,” his father wrote.

The family is asking court to protect their identities in the upcoming civil suit, and a judge is expected to hear the case on Nov. 4. The school declined comment and the family has asked for privacy.