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sharkus

Apparently this is nothing new, it's happened for quite some time, it's just this time round it's been made public.
One hopes that they get a suitable length sentence, in a proper prison, and go through utter hell when in there, and maybe learn a lesson. Alas I suspect Daddy's money and / or power will ensure this doesn't happen, and it'll be a slap on the wrist for being awfully naughty (or just getting caught).

I'd also like to see charges for those working there, as I suspect they knew this has been going on, and did nothing, probably so as not to rock the boat, and cast the school in a bad light, as that just won't do!

Oakvillian

Heard a miserably poor interview from the headmaster on the radio this morning. I don't know who has been briefing him on media technique, but they need firing right now. He came across as determined to do whatever it takes to save the reputation of the school, rather than to protect the victims or find and bring to justice the perpetrators. He constantly hid behind "we're helping the police, this is their investigation now," to avoid giving direct answers to questions. Asked whether he thought thought there might be more cases that come to light, instead of getting ahead of the story he weaselled his way through the answer with reference to lack of evidence, police investigation, blah blah.

It's been probably 15 years since I last did a senior exec crisis-communications briefing, but if he'd been my client his answers should have been a lot more proactive: "We cannot say for certain that there are no other cases, so we are working on the basis that there may be, and doing everything we can to encourage people to come forward, without fear or favour, to report current or historic instances of bullying, sexual abuse or assault by any current of former student or member of staff. The Toronto Police Service will be taking any such reports very seriously and we will offer them our full assistance throughout." Again, asked whether he'd resign, he deflected the question instead of confronting it, although he did say something about the Board asking him to lead a review. So why not lead with "I have considered tendering my resignation; the Board of Governors have asked me to stay on to lead our own review; I have agreed to do that and will of course consider again where I stand, and whether I feel my own leadership has been adequate, once that review is completed."

If the school (and, by extension, the staff, governors and - once again - the Catholic church) are found to be complicit then there need to be very significant and far-reaching consequences. Money and privilege must not be allowed to excuse, cover up, or pay off the abuse and sexual assault of children, regardless of whether the victims are also wealthy and privileged.

Zoe Bell

given what I know of the private school cabal in Toronto, this kind of shit does not surprise me
so glad to be out of it

Linotype

Interesting story by a former student:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opin...-room-culture/

Partially discharged

When I moved to Canada at age 17 I quickly made friends with two guys in my high school who had known each other for years. One guy came from old money and for some reason went to the local high school while it was thought that his sister should go to their mothers old school Havergal. She was a day student, finished high school and it was only after about 2 months at university (now away from home) that it was discovered that she was dyslexic. Havergal had just passed her through, taken the parents $ and not said anything.

The brother who I knew went to U of T and quickly fell in with the fraternity world of which I wanted nothing to do with. I went to a couple of frat parties and found them to be moronic blue bloods with sexist, racist attitudes.

The other guy came from a working class Italian family and he married a lady from Oshawa who was not proud of her blue collar Oshawa roots. She suddenly became quite catholic upon marriage and her Italian - Canadian husband became increasingly catholic which was new to me. They had two boys who both went to St Mike's (this couple knew how to spend money..big house no savings you get the picture). Rugby, football and hockey were the main interests of these 2 boys while their Italian Canadian dad lost interest in the 'beautiful game' to my chagrin which was my common initial connection with him. The two boys have now graduated from St Mike's and they seem like prime candidates for the activities that went on at St Mike's as when they were teenagers they seemed like total 'douchebags' with sexist, racist views.. I've had my disagreements with both guys over the years and don't keep in touch with them but to me the whole RC school system needs to be dismantled. I generally don't have a socialist bone in my body but one school board that is theoretically free for all that is not based on religious separation and dogma suits me fine.

dbd33

This thread is the first I've heard of this school but, if I understand correctly, it was/is a Catholic fee paying school with a focus on ice hockey. One stop shopping for paedophilia clichés!

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