Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reaches Settlement with Multiple B.C. Organizations
A British Columbia man who endured years of childhood sexual abuse has successfully settled his civil lawsuit against several prominent institutions that he alleged failed to protect him during his vulnerable youth. Steve Cullen, who previously spoke anonymously about his ordeal, has now lifted that anonymity order following the resolution of his legal case.
Legal Action Against Multiple Defendants
Cullen had been pursuing legal action against Scouts Canada, the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development, the United Church of Canada, the Vancouver school board, and a hotel franchisee. The lawsuit claimed these organizations were negligent in their duty to safeguard him from convicted child sex offender Jens Binderup Jensen during the 1980s.
The civil case had been scheduled for a five-week trial in Vancouver beginning February 9, but was resolved through mediation and settlement discussions after more than four years of litigation. Cullen's legal representative, Sandra Kovacs of KazLaw Injury Lawyers, confirmed the resolution of all claims against the institutional defendants.
Background of Abuse and Legal Proceedings
The abuse occurred while Jensen was connected to Beaver Scouts and the United Church, giving him access to children through these organizations. Cullen, who was between six and seventeen years old during the abuse period, alleges he was systematically groomed and sexually assaulted.
Jensen, a Danish citizen, was convicted in 1994 on multiple counts of child sexual abuse following complaints from his grand nephew. Cullen, then eighteen years old, was unable to testify during that trial due to ongoing trauma and substance use disorder stemming from his abuse.
Crucial Role in Subsequent Investigation
Three years after Jensen's conviction, Cullen played a pivotal role in the perpetrator's deportation proceedings. He directed authorities to Jensen's storage locker, where investigators discovered an extensive collection of child pornography, including images of Cullen himself.
This discovery marked a significant turning point in Cullen's healing journey. The child of a single mother battling addiction, Cullen alleges that Jensen exploited his position within various organizations to gain access to vulnerable children.
Impact on the Survivor's Life
According to legal documents, Cullen suffered from severe complex post-traumatic stress disorder for approximately a decade following the abuse. His lawsuit alleged that the institutional defendants either knew or should have known about Jensen's predatory behavior and failed to take appropriate protective measures.
Cullen eventually found stability through professional therapy, support from his spouse, and understanding from his employer, Glowbal Restaurant Group, where he works as an IT specialist. The decision to pursue legal action in 2021 represented another crucial step in his ongoing recovery process.
Legal Resolution and Moving Forward
The lawsuit named multiple defendants who Cullen believed shared responsibility for his protection. While Jensen was served legal papers in Denmark through the Hague Convention, he never filed a defense and defaulted in the case. The institutional defendants continued with the legal process until the recent settlement.
This resolution comes after Cullen initially shared his story anonymously with Postmedia News in 2023. His decision to now publicly identify himself reflects both the closure achieved through the settlement and his continued commitment to healing and advocacy for abuse survivors.
