Royal Winnipeg Ballet Nude Photos $10M Class Action Settlement

Royal Winnipeg Ballet agreed to a $10 million class action settlement to resolve claims that one of its photographers took nude pictures of dancers without their consent.

The settlement benefits dancers who attended Royal Winnipeg Ballet between 1984 and 2015 and who were photographed by Bruce Monk in a private setting. Lawyers estimate at least 50 dancers fall under this definition.

Bruce Monk worked for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a photographer and instructor until 2015. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet reportedly let him go when he was accused by former students of taking and selling nude photos, CBC reported.

According to Monk’s former students who filed a class action lawsuit against him, the instructor took nude and otherwise intimate photos of young women and teenagers who took classes at the ballet studio. Monk allegedly sold these photos online for a significant profit and distributed them without consent.

In addition to accusing Monk of child exploitation, sexual assault, and other offenses, plaintiffs took action against the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. According to the dancers, the ballet company failed to protect it’s students from Monk’s predatory actions. The company has since apologized for its role in the abuse.

“We acknowledge that these photography sessions were traumatizing for many students,” the ballet company said. “The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is deeply sorry and regrets that the class members, all of whom were talented and vulnerable young people, were not protected as they should have been.”

Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Monk haven’t admitted any legal wrongdoing but the ballet company agreed to pay $10 million to resolve the sexual abuse allegations.

Under the terms of the settlement, Class Members can recover a cash payment. 

Payments include a $1,000 lump sum for health services (including counseling), a $2,500 payment for related family members, and additional compensation based on the effects the photo shoots had on dancers. 

Each Class Member’s payment may vary depending on the severity of the photos’ impacts. 

In addition to providing cash benefits, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet has established a special crisis team and taken other steps to avoid these sorts of abuses in the future. 

The deadline to object to the settlement was Feb. 9, 2022. 

The settlement was granted final approval by the Ontario Superior Court on Feb. 11, 2022.

In order to benefit from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet nude photos settlement, Class Members must submit a valid claim form by Feb. 28, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits dancers who attended Royal Winnipeg Ballet between 1984 and 2015 and who were photographed by Bruce Monk in a private setting. Lawyers estimate at least 50 dancers fall under this definition.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Some supporting documentation may be required.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

02/28/2023

Case Name

Doucet v. Royal Winnipeg Ballet, court file number CV-16-564335-00CP, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice

Final Hearing

02/11/2022

Settlement Website

RWBClassAction.ca

Claims Administrator

Royal Winnipeg Ballet Class Action Claims Administrator
c/o Epiq Class Action Services Canada Inc.
P.O. Box 507 STN B
Ottawa ON K1P 5P6
info@RWBClassAction.ca
833-871-5362

Class Counsel

WADDELL PHILLIPS PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

GILLIAN HNATIW & CO

Defense Counsel

STIEBER BERLACH LLP

MILLER THOMSON LLP