Please Sign to Support Survivors Demanding Investigation into Royal Conservatory Sexual Abuse

Please sign and share to support accountability and an independent investigation into sexual abuse at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music: https://www.change.org/p/demand-the-rcm-toronto-conduct-an-independent-investigation-into-sexual-abuse  The petition was started by Lusiana Lukman who, at age 15, was sexually abused during 1980s piano lessons by Boris Berlin (learn more at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QolWu7CfYT7TdK7Nuusw0XxYOKU4xJ8W/view?pli=1). Lusiana is also featured in the powerful #MeToo film about the extensive abuse that the classical music world continues to cover up, Dear Lara (https://www.dearlara.film/)

Lusiana writes:

My name is Lusiana Lukman. Boris Berlin sexually abused me during my piano lessons in the 1980s starting when I was 15 years old, at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada. 

I publicly shared my experience in a February 7, 2026 Toronto Star article and in Lara St. John’s documentary Dear Lara. While I was a student, I reported this abuse with a friend to the then Director of Academic Studies, Peter Simon. When contacted by the Toronto Star, he said he “did not remember the meeting and the incident” but that he would have treated such allegations seriously. Despite this, Berlin continued teaching until his retirement 11 years later. 

Since that time, I have spoken to others who were also sexually abused by Boris Berlin.

We are concerned that the Royal Conservatory has failed to protect the students under their care, prioritizing the reputation of the conservatory over the safety and wellbeing of their students.

Since going public about my abuse by Boris Berlin, I have not personally heard from any representative of the Royal Conservatory.

We, the undersigned, demand:

-That the Royal Conservatory hire an external law firm to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into these allegations and the actions taken by the Royal Conservatory leadership to address them. The aim is not just to hold those responsible to account, but to ensure that robust safeguarding measures are established to prevent such horrific abuse from recurring, ensuring the safety of current and future students.

We cannot allow institutions to hide behind their legacy and traditions while those who suffered at their hands continue to bear this burden alone. 

Your signature is a powerful step toward change and ensuring that such failures are never repeated. Please sign this petition to stand with me and other survivors.

Thank you,

Lusiana Lukman