Vancouver (Josh Olund BCIT Radio A&E) – A woman who has accused Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen of sexual assault is now suing him.
The notice had been filed on Wednesday at B.C. Supreme Court in Kelowna.
It says the woman and Virtanen met at a music festival at the Calgary Stampede in 2017. It’s also noted that about two months later is when the alleged assault took place, at a West Vancouver hotel.The detailed account claims “Virtanen bu his unlawful actions, violated the sexual integrity of the Plaintiff,” who hasn’t been named and was a minor at the time of the offence. “Virtanen’s actions were deliberate, flagrant, and outrageous,” the notice states, adding his“actions were premeditated and intentional.”“He knew before and during the Sexual Assault that his actions would cause the Plaintiff to suffer mental harm, humiliation, shame, and embarrassment,”it adds.The woman says she has suffered “severe injuries and consequences” as a result, including PTSD, diminished self-worth, depression, anxiety,and loss of enjoyment of life.
The notice is asking for punitive and exemplary damages against the 24-year-old hockey player.
Virtanen was benched by the Canucks after the claims first surfaced. At the time, on May 1, the Canucks said that Virtanen would remain on leave as an independent investigation was being launched.“Our organization does not accept sexual misconduct of any kind and the claims as reported are being treated very seriously by us,” the Canucks said in a statement.
Vancouver police confirmed days after that they had begun looking into the allegations against Virtanen, noting investigators have been in contact with the complainant.
Virtanen has yet to respond to the civil claim.