**”University in Legal Battle Denies Liability in Sexual Assault Case”**
In a legal dispute that has left the community reeling, a Nova Scotia university is fighting back against allegations of negligence in a case involving a student who claims she was sexually assaulted on campus. The Université Sainte-Anne has vehemently denied accusations that it failed to protect the student from harm, despite the lawsuit filed by Marissa Williams, a student at the francophone school since 2019.
The university, in a notice of defence signed on August 8, 2024, refuted all claims made by Williams, who alleged that she was raped by two fellow students in separate incidents in 2021. Université Sainte-Anne dismissed the allegations, stating that any injuries or damages suffered by Williams were not a result of negligence on their part.
Williams’s statement of claim, filed in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, painted a grim picture of events, asserting that the university had a duty to safeguard her from the alleged assaults but failed to do so. The court documents referred to the alleged perpetrators as “school ambassadors,” a label contested by the university.
Exclusive details revealed that the university disputed Williams’s assertion that her complaint against the volleyball player was mishandled, insisting that the internal investigation was conducted in good faith. The notice also addressed the allegations against the residential adviser, stressing that he was not a university employee and was involved in a consensual relationship with Williams. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Despite requests for comment, the university declined to speak on the ongoing legal matter while it unfolds in court. Williams, who also claimed multiple instances of assault by the residential adviser, opted not to report these incidents due to the fallout from her initial complaint. She cited victim-blaming, academic challenges, and malicious rumors as key reasons for her silence.
Williams, through her civil suit, is seeking unspecified damages, a move disputed by the university in its defence. Université Sainte-Anne is urging Williams to substantiate her claims and justify all damages sought. The university has gone a step further by requesting the dismissal of the lawsuit with costs.
For individuals impacted by sexual assault, immediate support is available through crisis lines and local services. The issue continues to unravel, with both parties entangled in a legal battle with uncertain outcomes.
For more updates on this story, stay tuned.
In a legal dispute that has left the community reeling, a Nova Scotia university is fighting back against allegations of negligence in a case involving a student who claims she was sexually assaulted on campus. The Université Sainte-Anne has vehemently denied accusations that it failed to protect the student from harm, despite the lawsuit filed by Marissa Williams, a student at the francophone school since 2019.
The university, in a notice of defence signed on August 8, 2024, refuted all claims made by Williams, who alleged that she was raped by two fellow students in separate incidents in 2021. Université Sainte-Anne dismissed the allegations, stating that any injuries or damages suffered by Williams were not a result of negligence on their part.
Williams’s statement of claim, filed in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, painted a grim picture of events, asserting that the university had a duty to safeguard her from the alleged assaults but failed to do so. The court documents referred to the alleged perpetrators as “school ambassadors,” a label contested by the university.
Exclusive details revealed that the university disputed Williams’s assertion that her complaint against the volleyball player was mishandled, insisting that the internal investigation was conducted in good faith. The notice also addressed the allegations against the residential adviser, stressing that he was not a university employee and was involved in a consensual relationship with Williams. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Despite requests for comment, the university declined to speak on the ongoing legal matter while it unfolds in court. Williams, who also claimed multiple instances of assault by the residential adviser, opted not to report these incidents due to the fallout from her initial complaint. She cited victim-blaming, academic challenges, and malicious rumors as key reasons for her silence.
Williams, through her civil suit, is seeking unspecified damages, a move disputed by the university in its defence. Université Sainte-Anne is urging Williams to substantiate her claims and justify all damages sought. The university has gone a step further by requesting the dismissal of the lawsuit with costs.
For individuals impacted by sexual assault, immediate support is available through crisis lines and local services. The issue continues to unravel, with both parties entangled in a legal battle with uncertain outcomes.
For more updates on this story, stay tuned.
