The former youth leader at the Church of St. Bride’s in Mississauga, who was convicted of sexual assaults on young boys, is being sued along with the Anglican Church of Canada. In 2009, Garth Bent pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. Three victims have brought a lawsuit against him and the church, alleging that the church harbored a sexual predator. The claims are seeking a total of $19.5 million. The victims shared their stories with Global News, recounting how Bent would choose a child to sleep in his tent each night during camping trips and sexually abuse them.
One victim described meeting Bent at church youth group when he was around 10 years old. Bent invited him to Ontario Pioneer Camp, where the abuse occurred. Another victim won a competition held by Bent and was invited to his place where he was sexually abused. The victims criticized the church for allowing Bent to have boys sleep over and for giving him authority and power within the church. They detailed the impact that the abuse has had on their lives, including struggles with addiction and mental health issues. The victims stated that justice was not served in Bent’s case, as he received an 18-month conditional sentence.
The victims’ lawyer, Justin Linden, emphasized that it is important to hold organizations accountable for harboring individuals like Bent, who abuse their power and authority. He highlighted the importance of civil claims in bringing light to these issues and preventing them from continuing. The victims are prepared to tell their story and stand up against the church and Bent. Detective Bruce Thomson, who investigated the case, believes that there could be more victims who have not come forward yet. He encouraged anyone who has been a victim of Bent to contact the police and seek help.
Ontario Pioneer Camp, where Bent worked as a camp counselor, stated that they were not aware of the allegations against him before or during his time at the camp. They mentioned that they have always met or exceeded the relevant standards for screening and training camp staff and volunteers. Bent denied the allegations of sexual abuse in his statement of defense, and both his lawyer and the Anglican Church of Canada declined to comment on the case. The church has denied knowledge of Bent’s alleged sexual abuse. The victims expressed their hope that by coming forward and sharing their stories, they can prevent similar incidents from happening to other children in the future.
The victims detailed the fear and shame they experienced as a result of the sexual abuse, which has had long-lasting effects on their lives. They described struggles with addiction, mental health issues, and difficulties in relationships and daily routines. The victims expressed their desire for justice and their determination to hold Bent and the Anglican Church of Canada accountable for their role in enabling the abuse to occur. They emphasized the importance of speaking out against perpetrators of abuse and seeking support to heal from the trauma. Detective Thomson reiterated the importance of more victims coming forward to shed light on the extent of Bent’s actions and prevent further harm.
