Winnipeg, Manitoba – The estate of a former Winnipeg lawyer is facing a lawsuit filed by a man who alleges that the lawyer befriended him at the age of 17, invited him to live with him, and subjected him to sexual abuse. The man, identified as John Doe in the statement of claim, accuses the late lawyer, Robert Dawson, of using his position of authority to create an environment of sexual assault. The lawsuit was filed in the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench in Winnipeg on March 26 against Dawson’s estate. Dawson, who was charged with sexually abusing teen hockey players in the 1990s, died by suicide in October 2021.
The lawsuit details disturbing allegations of abuse, stating that Dawson locked the young man in a cage, fondled his genitals while he was restrained, and forced him to wear a collar and lock in public. The man had relocated to Winnipeg to finish high school when he encountered Dawson, who had promised to help him become a lawyer. Instead, the man claims to have suffered permanent damage due to Dawson’s acts.
While the lawsuit does not specify a monetary amount, it seeks various forms of damages, including compensation for the man’s direct harm, mental distress, loss of income, future care and treatment, as well as punitive damages. The lawsuit also seeks a publication ban on the man’s identity due to the nature of the allegations.
This recent lawsuit bears similarities to another filed by a different man who alleges he was abused by Dawson as a young hockey player in the 1990s. Both plaintiffs are identified as John Doe. The second lawsuit describes acts of abuse, including tying the victim to a bed, sexually assaulting him, confining him in a closet, and making him wear a T-shirt that said “Slave.”
The man who filed the current lawsuit states that Dawson recorded some of the abuse in photos and videos. The ongoing trauma caused the man to attempt suicide, struggle with addiction, suffer from disordered eating, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The man continues to require therapy, medical attention, and psychological treatment.
The man did not report the abuse earlier due to fear and shame. None of the allegations have been tested in court, and no statement of defense has been filed. Victor Bargen, the lawyer for the executor of Dawson’s estate, has stated that his client has not seen the statement of claim and cannot comment.
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, please seek help by reaching out to relevant helplines or calling 911.