This man says working at Scouts Canada gave him PTSD. Now he's suing the organization
CBC
Stephen Greensides rubs a small, smooth stone between the palms of his hands.
It seems to bring him comfort, as does his two-year-old dog Belle, who sits beside Greensides as he talks about the job he says changed his life forever.
"I don't feel any self-worth or value. I feel like I'm a burden on my family. I feel like a total failure," said the 49-year-old from Rockland, Ont.
For four years, Greensides worked in Scouts Canada's safe scouting department, handling safety complaints from the organization's 42,000 youth members and 13,000 volunteers across the country.
He alleges the traumatic nature of many of those complaints caused him to develop depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Greensides is now on long-term disability and believes he may never be fit to return to work.
"It's overwhelming. Concentration is gone. I don't remember things. I can't focus and I can't relax. I'm on constant alert," he said.
It's an outcome he believes could have been avoided, and it's why Greensides is now suing the organization for up to $2.1 million in damages.
In his statement of claim filed last year, Greensides alleges "his mental health was irreversibly damaged" from his time with Scouts Canada because of "repeated exposure in responding to sexual and violent traumas" and "doing so with inadequate supports, assistance and supervision."
His lawyer Rob Talach said the case raises questions not just about the ongoing sexual abuse within Scouts Canada, but also the "very negative effects on the people to have to come in and clean it up."
Scouts Canada said it's unable to respond to CBC's question about this story due to the lawsuit. However, in a statement the organization said "nothing is more important to Scouts Canada than the safety of the youth in our care."
In its statement of defence, Scouts Canada denied Greensides's allegations, asserting that the organization met or exceeded its responsibilities as an employer.
"Safe Scouting is a key priority for Scouts Canada, and the organization has been a Canadian leader in youth safety protocols for years," the statement reads.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Greensides began his role with Scouts Canada in 2016 after years of volunteering with the organization. He was excited to support its mission of helping youth become well-rounded individuals prepared for success in the world.
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