Clergy sexual abuse – Reverend David Woodall, United Church Minister

Three civil suits have been commenced against Rev. David Woodall, a former United Church minister, and associated United Church entities. These suits allege that Rev. Woodall sexually abused each of the plaintiffs when they were boys living in Clinton, Ontario and London, Ontario. The individuals who have brought these civil suits were also complainants in criminal trials against Rev. Woodall. Rev. Woodall’s alleged abuse of boys in Clinton occurred in the early 1990s. The abuse in London is alleged to have occurred in the early 2000s. While Rev. Woodall has, to date, been acquitted of the criminal charges against him, the civil suits are ongoing.

Rev. Woodall served as a United Church minister at congregations across southwestern Ontario from at least 1985 to 2006.  Thereafter until at least 2009, he also served as executive secretary of The United Church of Canada’s London Conference.

Lerners LLP partner Elizabeth Grace specializes in representing abuse and assault victims. Recognized as an expert in this area of law, her team encourages all victims of sexual abuse and/or assault, including those who also say they were sexually abused by members of the clergy like Rev. David Woodall or who have information about such abuse, to contact the Lerners abuse team. This team regularly helps victims pursue the compensation to which they may be entitled in the civil courts. Contact Elizabeth Grace at egrace@lerners.ca.