Holding Anglican Dioceses Accountable for Institutional Sexual Abuse in British Columbia

In Canada and around the world, the Anglicans have faced disturbing, credible reports of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse spanning decades within its organization. The Anglican Church of Canada has admitted to abuse committed by and against its members in British Columbia; non-members were also victimized at times. In many instances, minors were targeted as victims, often leading to devastating, long-lasting effects on all aspects of their lives.

Survivors of this abuse may have legal options to make up for the damage done to them, recover compensation, and seek justice in B.C. Our law firm, Preszler Injury Lawyers, has represented and continues to represent numerous clients who were abused in institutional settings or as a result of their involvement with institutions, such as the Anglican Church. If you are a victim, the church may have failed in its duty of care to you, for example by not investigating complaints against the perpetrator.

If you are considering making a claim against the church, our institutional abuse lawyers can guide you through every step of the process with a sensitive, trauma-informed approach. Pursuing justice through a civil claim could be a major step in finding closure and healing from the harm done to you.

Perpetrators of abuse were often placed in a position of authority over victims because of their church-related roles. They may have been ordained, such as priests and bishops, or laypeople, like youth leaders or staff.

How Is the Anglican Church Structured in British Columbia?

Christian missionaries of several denominations have been instrumental to shaping the culture of historic and modern-day Canada. The Anglican Church, given its origins in the United Kingdom, particularly England, has been active in the Pacific Northwest since the mid-1800s, before and during British Columbia’s colonial, pre-Confederation history. The Anglican Church has since established charities and run educational facilities. Some schools and post-secondary institutions are still affiliated with the church, like the prestigious Shawnigan Lake School.

Today, British Columbia and the Yukon are combined into one ecclesiastical province for Anglican Church of Canada administrative purposes.

The Anglican Church of Canada’s administration in British Columbia specifically is divided into five dioceses, though not all are labelled as such. They are the Diocese of British Columbia (also referred to as the Diocese of Islands and Inlets), the Diocese of New Westminster, the Diocese of Caledonia, and the Territory of the People (formerly known as the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior). The Yukon forms a separate, sixth diocese.

These dioceses operate independently for the most part, each led by a bishop who holds ultimate church authority within diocese boundaries. A metropolitan archbishop oversees the ecclesiastical province of B.C. and the Yukon.

Are There Any Other Canadian Anglican Congregations or Organizations?

Many local parishes and congregations have separated from the mainstream Anglican Church of Canada over the years. In some instances, these individual congregations have joined together and established their own leadership structure and dioceses. These include the Anglican Diocese of Canada, part of the Anglican Church in North America. Until late 2024, this diocese was known as the Anglican Network in Canada. Another example is the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada.

Other churches may also be based on Anglican traditions, although they may not have “Anglican” in their name. Our institutional abuse lawyers can help you determine the right party to make a claim against where the abuse occurred.

Common Experiences of Survivors

Survivors of institutional sexual abuse within the Anglican Church often share similar experiences of trauma, shame, and silence. Most often, our clients were abused as children and the perpetrator was someone in a position of authority. It is also possible for adults to have been abused. In some cases, the abuse may have been accompanied by threats, intimidation, or manipulation.

Survivors may have felt trapped, alone, and powerless to stop the abuse. Many have since suffered in silence for years, afraid to speak out or seek help. Your attempts to come forward may even have been ignored in the past. However, we are here to listen and believe you now.

The trauma of institutional sexual abuse can lead to a range of long-term effects including (but not limited to) depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, employment challenges, and substance abuse. Survivors may also struggle with feelings of guilt and self-blame, which can make it difficult for them to seek help or disclose their experiences.

Is It Too Late To File a Claim Against the Anglican Diocese?

No, it is not too late. British Columbia’s statute of limitations law, the Limitation Act, specifically makes an exception for “misconduct of a sexual nature” if the claimant was a minor when the misconduct happened, so victims can file a civil legal claim no matter how much time has passed.

There is a similar exception for sexual assaults, which applies regardless of the claimant’s age when the sexual assault occurred.

As noted earlier, the specific abuse perpetrated on you may have been sexual, physical, or psychological. Many kinds of unwanted contact, interactions, or activity of a sexual nature could be covered under this definition. Although coming forward is a decision only you can make, we encourage you to discuss your specific circumstances with us. If you file a civil claim, all decisions will rest with you.

What Kinds of Compensation Do We Pursue Against the Anglican Diocese?

Our personal injury lawyers can help abuse victims seek compensation for both economic (concrete) and non-economic (intangible) damages.

Economic damages may include (but are not limited to):

• Loss of income or earning capacity
• Medical expenses including counselling and therapy
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to treatment for abuse, such as travel costs or accommodations

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, may include (but again are not limited to):

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Damage to relationships or reputation

We have access to qualified specialists such as economists and psychologists who can help to assess what damages may be applicable to your situation.

Contact Us for Specific Advice Regarding Institutional Abuse Claims Against the Anglican Diocese

While the claims process can be challenging and emotional, our skilled and experienced institutional abuse lawyers can provide guidance, support, and advocacy throughout. If you or someone you know has been affected by institutional sexual abuse, don’t hesitate to book a free initial consultation to discuss your options and seek the compensation and justice you deserve.

Please call us at 1-844-373-8202 or visit our downtown Vancouver office today to receive tailored advice about your potential institutional abuse claim.