Father sues debate association over son's suicide
The Straits Times|November 09, 2022
31-year-old died a day after claims of sexual misconduct against him were made public
Selina Lum
Father sues debate association over son's suicide

The father of a 31-year-old debater who took his own life after allegations of sexual misconduct against him were made public has sued the Debate Association (Singapore), claiming that its "wrongful" actions caused the death of his son.

Mr Lucas Li, a prominent member of the debate community, fell to his death on Aug 8, 2018, a day after the association announced in a statement that he was "permanently banned" from its events on the basis of inappropriate behaviour.

His father, Mr Lawrence Li, 67, is now seeking unspecified damages for the mental distress suffered by his son, as well as bereavement and the loss of dependency for himself and his wife.

The couple were financially supported by Mr Lucas Li, a government scholar who was working at Enterprise Singapore at the time.

A seven-day trial opened in the High Court on Tuesday to hear Mr Lawrence Li's claims that the association had acted negligently and that its actions constituted a breach of contract.

The association said it should not be held liable for the suicide, and that its actions were justified, given the severity of the allegations.

In his suit, Mr Lawrence Li contended that his son succumbed to depression after the association's executive committee, or Exco, posted a statement on its website and on Facebook on Aug 7, 2018.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 09, 2022 من The Straits Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 09, 2022 من The Straits Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

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