A man who says he was sexually assaulted while in Yukon foster care 35 years ago is taking legal action against his alleged aggressors.

The former Yukon resident, who cannot be named, is claiming damages against the commissioner of the Yukon, two former employees of the Department of Health and Social Services and JV, who cannot be named because of a court-ordered publication ban.

In documents filed with the Yukon Supreme Court, the plaintiff says he lived in foster homes operated by JV between1975 and 1982.

During that time, he was "repeatedly and persistently sexually assaulted” by JV, read the documents.

The plaintiff claims the commissioner, through its department employees, was aware or should have been aware that JV "had sexual predation activities or tendencies toward young boys,” that the plaintiff was vulnerable to adult males such as JV, and that the plaintiff was sexually assaulted by JV.”

Two department employees, who must also remain unnamed, were identified in the documents as those persons responsible for the placement of children into group and foster homes.

They were also tasked with supervising the homes and employees who worked in them.

Throughout the plaintiff's placement at the JV foster home, the commissioner was obliged to inspect the residence and to ensure it was a safe environment for the foster children who lived there.

The department employees failed to protect the plaintiff from sexual abuse, and thus are directly liable for their actions or omissions. The commissioner is directly liable for the actions and omissions of its department employees, read the documents.

JV is also directly liable for his sexual abuse of the plaintiff.

Because of the sexual abuse in the JV foster home, the plaintiff says he suffered, and continues to suffer, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual injuries, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The plaintiff says he continues to suffer from loss of self-esteem, alcohol and drug abuse, an inability to form healthy emotional attachments, and an inability to complete an educational program or to maintain gainful employment.

As a result, he claims costs for loss of income and earning capacity, the need for future medical services, and assistance from family.

Documents describing a similar case of sexual abuse were filed with the Yukon Supreme Court in June.

The plaintiff in that case, also a former Yukon resident, says he was sexually assaulted while living as a resident in JV's Yukon-based foster home in the 1960s and 1970s.

He is claiming similar damages, and included the Whitehorse Catholic diocese, the commissioner of Yukon and JV in the list of defendants.