Two women claiming to be past students of John Furlong have filed lawsuits accusing the former Vancouver Olympics CEO of sexual abuse.
In court documents filed Wednesday, Beverly Abraham alleges that while she was a student at Immaculata Elementary in Burns Lake from 1969-1970, Furlong sexually molested her about 12 times over a seven-month period.
“The sexual touching consisted of grabbing her breasts and buttocks, touching her vagina and vaginal area, and attempting to put his tongue in her mouth,” the notice of civil claim reads.
Abraham claims the touching occurred in the school’s gym after Furlong’s physical education class, the equipment room and a mechanical closet.
Furlong is also accused of manipulating her “emotionally and psychologically” by telling her that it wasn’t wrong for him to touch her.
In the documents, she claims Furlong told her it wasn’t wrong for him to touch her, saying “You’re my beautiful Indian girl and my protégé,” and “You’re my favourite of all the girls.”
In another lawsuit, plaintiff Grace West, also a former Immaculata student, accused Furlong of similar sexual touching as well as physical abuse.
Her claim alleges Furlong would kick her almost every day of school, and that he “used offensive epithets while kicking the Plaintiff, including calling her ‘dirty Indian’ and ‘squaw.’”
West said her father had to remove her from the Catholic school and alleged the Archdiocese and Diocese were aware of the sexual abuse.
A spokeswoman for Furlong said he had no comment while the matter is before the courts.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, Roman Catholic Prince George Diocese and Catholic Independent Schools Diocese of Prince George are also named in both civil suits.
Both women claimed those parties failed to prevent Furlong from committing the alleged physical and sexual abuse, and both say they suffered long-lasting health and psychological conditions including anxiety and depression because of it.
A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Vancouver expressed surprise at being named in the suit but said they haven't had time to review it and had no further comment.
Press conference influenced both plaintiffs’ claims
Both West and Abraham said they sought legal advice after watching a Sept. 27 press conference in which Furlong vehemently denied allegations of sexual abuse brought forth by The Georgia Straight newspaper.
Furlong said at the time that those alleging he abused them were lying or attempting to extort him, and later launched a lawsuit against a reporter, editor and publisher of the weekly newspaper.
In their notices of civil claim, both Abraham and West accused Furlong of issuing a statement that was “false, defamatory, maliciously spoken, dishonest and calculated to intimidate his victims and discourage them from coming forward.”
In January, further allegations surfaced alleging domestic and sexual abuse against Furlong.
Many members of Furlong's family, including his ex-wife Gail, his children and 11 grandchildren issued a statement condemning the allegations.
"The public should be deeply concerned at the power of a single journalist whose words can smash into a family like a wrecking ball," the family statement said.
None of the allegations against Furlong have been proven in court.
With files from The Canadian Press
