DLM
05-27-2005, 04:22 PM
EDMONTON (CP) - A woman who was gang raped 25 years ago is suing Alberta's crimes compensation board for $11 million.
The woman, identified as Ms. Z in court documents, was 19 in 1980 when she hitched a ride in southern Alberta with six men who later pulled onto a side road and viciously attacked her for hours. She was awarded $3,000 compensation five years later, but has been fighting for more money ever since.
Her lawsuit filed in Court of Queen's Bench follows the discovery of an 1986 Alberta government memo written by a member of the crimes compensation board. She alleges the memo has re-victimized her.
"I authorized an expenditure of $680 for some therapy," wrote Bruce Massie, an Alberta Attorney General's office employee in the 1986 memo obtained under access to information legislation.
"I confess I did this to get rid of the file and based upon my assumption that the victim would not attend for the treatment."
The statement of claim alleges the board's refusal to properly deal with her case left her incapable of working and unable to support herself to the point where she was living on the street and eating out of dumpsters.
When she obtained the government memo earlier this year, she alleges she suffered a nervous breakdown.
"As a direct result of the defendants' actions, the plaintiff suffered further damages, including, but not limited to: psychological problems, including depression, disassociation and suicide attempts," says the statement of claim.
The government hasn't filed a statement of defence and said it won't comment while the case is before the courts, said Solicitor General Department spokeswoman Annette Bidniak.
Following a letter from her lawyer in 2002, Alberta's Criminal Injuries Review Board started paying Ms. Z $973 a month for lost earnings and up to $5,000 for counselling.
On January 22, 2004, the agency awarded her $120,686 for lost income and almost doubled her monthly payments.
The crime board members named in the lawsuit include Linda Unger, Boris Nahornick, Terrence Nugent and Massie. Massie is deceased.
Ms. Z, who was born in Saskatchewan and now lives in Vancouver, can't be identified because of a publication ban.
Most of her assailants were caught and charged with indecent assault. They received penalties ranging from suspended sentences to three years in jail. At least one man fled the country.
The woman, identified as Ms. Z in court documents, was 19 in 1980 when she hitched a ride in southern Alberta with six men who later pulled onto a side road and viciously attacked her for hours. She was awarded $3,000 compensation five years later, but has been fighting for more money ever since.
Her lawsuit filed in Court of Queen's Bench follows the discovery of an 1986 Alberta government memo written by a member of the crimes compensation board. She alleges the memo has re-victimized her.
"I authorized an expenditure of $680 for some therapy," wrote Bruce Massie, an Alberta Attorney General's office employee in the 1986 memo obtained under access to information legislation.
"I confess I did this to get rid of the file and based upon my assumption that the victim would not attend for the treatment."
The statement of claim alleges the board's refusal to properly deal with her case left her incapable of working and unable to support herself to the point where she was living on the street and eating out of dumpsters.
When she obtained the government memo earlier this year, she alleges she suffered a nervous breakdown.
"As a direct result of the defendants' actions, the plaintiff suffered further damages, including, but not limited to: psychological problems, including depression, disassociation and suicide attempts," says the statement of claim.
The government hasn't filed a statement of defence and said it won't comment while the case is before the courts, said Solicitor General Department spokeswoman Annette Bidniak.
Following a letter from her lawyer in 2002, Alberta's Criminal Injuries Review Board started paying Ms. Z $973 a month for lost earnings and up to $5,000 for counselling.
On January 22, 2004, the agency awarded her $120,686 for lost income and almost doubled her monthly payments.
The crime board members named in the lawsuit include Linda Unger, Boris Nahornick, Terrence Nugent and Massie. Massie is deceased.
Ms. Z, who was born in Saskatchewan and now lives in Vancouver, can't be identified because of a publication ban.
Most of her assailants were caught and charged with indecent assault. They received penalties ranging from suspended sentences to three years in jail. At least one man fled the country.