This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/19/toronto-st-michaels-college-six-students-charged-sexual-assault

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Six students at Toronto Catholic school charged with sexual assault Six students at Toronto Catholic school charged with sexual assault
(about 3 hours later)
Police have arrested six students from a prestigious private all-boys Catholic school in Toronto and charged them with sexual assault related to a video that was posted on the internet. Six students from a prestigious private all-boys Catholic school in Toronto have been arrested and charged after a video showing an alleged sexual assault by members of the school’s football team was posted on the internet.
Toronto police inspector Dominic Sinopoli said on Monday the students from St Michael’s College were charged with assault, gang sexual assault and sexual assault with a weapon. The students from Saint Michael’s College were charged on Monday with assault, gang sexual assault and sexual assault with a weapon.
The high school is known for its sports programs and has produced many National Hockey League players over the years. The arrests came amid a growing scandal over violent “hazing” rituals at St Michael’s – a private Catholic school which counts high-ranking politicians in both Canada and the United States among its alumni.
Sinopoli said police first became aware of the assault and video through the media and that the school failed to notify police immediately. Police are investigating at least three other assaults related to hazing incidents. Those arrested are young offenders and cannot be named. The school received a bomb threat on Monday morning, just as the students were set to appear in court.
St Michael’s expelled eight students and suspended another in connection with at least two incidents that allegedly took place on campus and were captured on video. Videos of the locker room incident first started to circulate last week, but the Toronto police inspector Dominic Sinopoli said on Monday that the school failed to notify police, who first learned of the alleged assault from news reports.
“The incidents of sexualized assault that happened to our students and on our school grounds are simply horrific,” the school said in a statement. Eight students were expelled or suspended in relation to the video, which allegedly shows members of the school’s football team sexually assaulting a fellow student with a broom handle.
“These incidents are clearly indicative we have a problem. We need to do much better at our culture and our student’s ability to talk to us.” On Monday, five students turned themselves in to police and one was arrested on his way to school. Police have called for any other victims to come forward.
“We have reason to believe there are more incidents and more videos,” said Sinopoli, head of the Toronto police’s sex crimes unit.
Sinopoli told reporters he was concerned that the graphic video of the assault remained online. Last week, police advised anyone sharing the video that they could face charges for possessing and distributing child abuse images.
Following the announcement by police, the school issued a statement supporting of the charges. “We believe charges are absolutely appropriate in these circumstances,” the school said.
“The incidents of sexualized assault that happened to our students and on our school grounds are simply horrific,” the school said.
“These incidents are clearly indicative we have a problem. We need to do much better at our culture and our students’ ability to talk to us.”
The school’s principal, Greg Reeves, has come under severe criticism for failing to immediately report the assault to police, after he received a copy of the video on 12 November.
It wasn’t until later in the week – when reporters contacted Toronto police for comment – that officers learned of the crime.
In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Reeves said he had wanted to speak to the victim’s family first, before contacting police. “I had set up four expulsion meetings [the following] morning, and at that point I couldn’t deal with that video,” he said.
On Sunday, the school said it was conducting an independent examination into the “underlying attitudes and behaviors” that it said were inconsistent with the school’s culture.On Sunday, the school said it was conducting an independent examination into the “underlying attitudes and behaviors” that it said were inconsistent with the school’s culture.
Sinopoli said five students turned themselves in and another was arrested while heading to school. He said several videos are being circulated and police believe there are more videos and incidents.
The school’s principal had been expected at the police press conference, but had to return to the school because of a bomb threat. Students and faculty were evacuated.
CanadaCanada
AmericasAmericas
Rape and sexual assaultRape and sexual assault
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content