A former student at Acadia Divinity College has filed a lawsuit against the school in Wolfville, N.S., alleging she was sexually abused by one of her professors between 1989 and 1991.
In the plaintiff’s statement of claim, filed Dec. 21 with the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, the woman says the school is vicariously liable for the alleged abuse.
The lawsuit alleges she was abused by Rev. Dennis Veinotte, who was employed as a professor by the college — the seminary of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada and Acadia University’s faculty of theology.
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The statement of claim says Veinotte, who died in 2012, cultivated a relationship of trust with the student as she studied in the master of divinity program until she left in 1991.
The lawsuit alleges the assaults took place on the school’s property while Veinotte was employed by Acadia Divinity College.
The president of the school, Rev. Anna Robbins, issued a statement saying the allegations are disturbing and the school is taking the matter very seriously.
She says she has just learned about the allegations and that it would be inappropriate to offer further comment.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
