Three Canadians sue American travel company over sexual misconduct
A report by CanWest News Service in Vancouver says that three Canadian students are alleging sexual misconduct involving a company that provides international travel programs.
The three, who aren’t being named for legal reasons, are suing International Student Volunteers Inc. for damages arising from several alleged incidents in Ecuador in July 2007 after they paid up to $4,300 for trips organized by the California-based company.
A statement of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court says that two of the students, a man and a woman in their early 20s from the University of Victoria, were assigned homestays in the capital city of Quito at the residence of Marcelo Cevallos.
While a third student, a woman from the University of Toronto, was visiting the two UVic students on July 27, Cevallos committed an “indecent sexual act” on her while she was leaving the residence, says the court document.
“Shortly thereafter on the same evening Marcelo Cevallos committed an indecent sexual act on (the other female student) while she was alone in her room,” it says.
The students’ lawyer, Douglas Morley, said the plaintiffs allege that one incident was an indecent exposure and the other a sexual touching.
Intending to file a police complaint, the women contacted the Canadian embassy in Quito and hired a lawyer but, they say, when they contacted the company they were threatened with expulsion.
After advising a company official that they intended to pursue charges against Cevallos, they were told it was possible Cevallos would make claims of sexual misconduct against them, says the document.
They’re seeking refunds and general, aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages. The company, which has not yet been served with the writ, could not be reached.
A Report by The Mole from canwest.com
John Alwyn-Jones
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