Late Winnipeg lawyer treated teen as sex slave, lawsuit against estate alleges

WARNING: This story contains details of sexual abuse and suicide.

The estate of a former Winnipeg lawyer is being sued by a man who says the late lawyer befriended him when he was 17, invited him to live at his home and then treated him as a sex slave.

A man identified only as John Doe in a statement of claim says Robert Dawson offered to help him become a lawyer, but instead caused lasting damage by doing things like locking him in a cage, fondling his genitals while he was tied to a basement support beam and having him wear a collar and lock in public.

At the time, the young man had moved to Winnipeg to finish high school, the statement of claim in the case says.

"Dawson seized upon his vulnerability, which included his inexperience, young age, and being alone in a new city, together with his position of authority over the plaintiff to create an environment for himself in which he was able to sexually assault the plaintiff," alleges the lawsuit, which was filed in the Manitoba Court of King's Bench in Winnipeg on March 26.

The lawsuit was filed against Dawson's estate. The Winnipeg lawyer died in October 2021, after a number of men alleged he sexually abused them when they were teen hockey players and he was their coach in the 1990s.

The lawsuit says Dawson, who was 57 when he was charged in September 2021, died by suicide.

The suit contains allegations of abuse in 2009 and 2010, but has similarities to another lawsuit launched by one of the men who alleges he was abused as a young hockey player in the 1990s.

That man's 2022 lawsuit alleges when he was 14, Dawson repeatedly abused him, including tying him to a bed and sexually assaulting him, confining him in a closet and having him wear a T-shirt that said "Slave" on it.

The plaintiffs in both cases are identified as John Doe, although they are different men. The new case says the plaintiff is seeking a publication ban on his identity because of the nature of the allegations.

No amount of money is specified in the lawsuit, but it seeks a long list of damages, including for the direct harm the man suffered from the alleged assaults, mental distress, loss of income, and future care and treatment, as well as punitive damages.

The man was a 17-year-old high school student when he met Dawson. Dawson learned the teen was interested in going to law school and offered to help him pursue a law degree and career, the statement of claim says.

Dawson started to help him with his studies and invited him out for meals before persuading him to move into his home, promising the teen could live there rent-free, the court document says.

Dawson's 'slave'

However, once the teen had moved in, Dawson told him he had to participate in sexual activities in lieu of paying rent, the man alleges.

Dawson made the teen strip in front of him and locked him in a cage in the basement for hours at a time, refusing to let him out when asked, and spanked him, continuing despite requests he stop, the statement of claim alleges.

The lawyer also made the young man "recite statements written by Dawson about being Dawson's 'slave' while tied to a support beam," the lawsuit says.

Some of the abuse was recorded in photos and videotape, the suit says.

Dawson also told him that he shouldn't tell anyone about the assaults, because no one would believe the young man's word over Dawson's, the court document says.

The man says as a result of the abuse, he has attempted suicide, fought addiction issues, dealt with disordered eating and anorexia, and suffered depression, anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, impaired ability to control anger, difficulty concentrating and sleeping, low self-esteem and difficulty establishing healthy relationships.

He continues to need therapy, medical attention and psychological treatment, the lawsuit says.

The man didn't report the abuse sooner because he didn't realize until later in life that he'd suffered sexual abuse and was afraid to report his relationship, the statement of claim says.

"The plaintiff felt, and continues to feel, ashamed, guilty and disgusted by the relationship," it says.

"It was, and continues to be, very painful for the plaintiff to think or speak about the sexual assaults."

None of the allegations have been tested in court. No statement of defence has been filed.

Victor Bargen, the lawyer for the executor of Dawson's estate, said his client hasn't seen the statement of claim and therefore can't comment.

For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, here's where to get help:

• Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
• This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.