Teacher Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse by Teachers and Other Professionals

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse by a teacher, doctor, coach or another figure of authority and trust, your life has probably been affected in many ways. Almost everything about you may have suffered—your education, your relationships, and your career may have all been hurt by your past abuse.

Your teacher or coach is a figure of trust and authority, and when that trust is destroyed, you may feel helpless. Survivors of teacher child abuse or coach sexual abuse often live their whole lives not understanding where the pain comes from; why they haven't accomplished much with their lives; why they keep turning to drugs or alcohol. Many people come to a realization, often well into adulthood, that the pain they've had their whole lives is rooted in sexual abuse by a coach or teacher in the past.

Perhaps you didn’t even realize it was an abusive situation until long after the sex abuse ended. According to the Criminal Code of Canada, sexual exploitation charges apply even if victims are over the age of consent, in cases where the perpetrator is “in a position of trust or authority … or is a person with whom the young person is in a relationship of dependency.”

Sometimes, exploring the possibility of taking action against the abuser(s) is an important part of the healing process. Whether or not you ultimately decide to sue the perpetrator(s) is your choice. We help give you the information you need to make the choice that's right for you.

If you were sexually abused by a coach or teacher, you may have a claim against the person who assaulted you, or against other people who can be found responsible. Our sexual assault team in Toronto can help you.