Legal claims against Kilcoo Camp and its former director, David Latimer, have ended in a settlement.
The lawsuits were filed by two plaintiffs, identified as J. Doe #1 and J. Doe #2, who alleged that Latimer had sexually assaulted them while he was the camp director. The allegations included grooming, manipulation, and sexual misconduct against a preteen camper in the early 1990s and a young adult staff member in the 2000s.
The settlement was reached by mutual agreement, and the plaintiffs' lawyer, Gillian Hnatiw, stated that her clients were pleased with the resolution.
The camp has since implemented new policies, including a Sexual Harassment and Abuse Policy and an Anti-Bullying Policy, to address and prevent such issues in the future. Latimer has retired as director and will no longer be involved with the camp.
Commentary
In the above source, the claim was for "sexual assault". In response, the camp implemented a "sexual harassment" and a "bullying" policy.
Sexual assault and sexual harassment differ from each other as does bullying. Knowing the differences between the three is important, especially when developing standards of conduct in a child safe environment.
"Sexual assault" refers to any unwanted sexual act or behavior that is forced upon someone without their consent.
Sexual assault can include rape, attempted rape, groping, or any other form of non-consensual sexual contact. Sexual assault is a criminal offense and is considered a serious violation of an individual's bodily autonomy and safety. It often involves physical force, coercion, or manipulation, and can have severe physical and emotional consequences for the victim.
Sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or intimidating environment.
Unlike sexual assault, sexual harassment does not necessarily involve physical contact but can include inappropriate comments, gestures, or actions that make someone feel uncomfortable or threatened.
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination and is prohibited by federal and state laws. It can occur in various settings, including workplaces, schools, and public spaces.
Sexual harassment is primarily enforced as a civil wrong by government agencies and/or individuals in court and is rarely viewed as a stand-alone criminal act.
Bullying refers to repeated aggressive behavior intended to hurt or intimidate another person. It can take many forms, including physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. Bullying can occur in person or online (cyberbullying) and often targets individuals based on their appearance, behavior, or social status.
Unlike sexual harassment, bullying is not necessarily based on the victim's sex or gender. Bullying can also have long-lasting effects on the victim's mental health and well-being.
Although sexual harassment can be a form of bullying, it is specifically related to unwanted sexual behavior and is a violation of civil rights laws. Bullying, on the other hand, encompasses a broader range of aggressive behaviors that may not be related to sex or gender and may not be considered criminal behavior.
The final takeaway is that organizations that work with children should have policies that prohibit all forms of wrongdoing, including sexual misconduct, like sexual assault and sexual harassment as well as a policy prohibiting bullying.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/latimer-kilcoo-lawsuits-end-in-settlement-1.7409687
