Georgina Girl Guide leader accused of 1998 sex assaults

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A 64-year-old Georgina woman who was a Girl Guides of Canada leader has been arrested and charged with an alleged historic sexual assault.

Cops say that Karen Spence had senior roles in the scouting organization between 1995 and 2001 as a Sparks leader and a Pathfinders leader.

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In addition, York Regional Police stated that Spence served as a youth hockey coach and referee.

The alleged assaults date back to 1998, but the investigation didn’t begin until March of this year when a person came forward to report details of alleged sexual abuse by their Pathfinder leader between January 1998 and September 2002.

At the time, the alleged victim was under 16 years old and Spence was 38.

Spence is charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual exploitation of a young person.

A local time hockey player and coach, Spence is listed as timekeeper for the Georgina Ice of the Provincial Junior Hockey League.

Detectives said there may be additional alleged victims and have released Spence’s photo in the hopes that others who may have been affected come forward.

A sexual assault includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. There is no statute of limitations for sexual offences, and offenders can be prosecuted well after the date of the offence.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7075, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

If someone is not ready to report but is seeking support, police advise to contact York Region Victim Services at victimservices-york.org, the Cedar Centre cedarcentre.ca or the Women’s Support Network womenssupportnetwork.ca.

bhunter@postmedia.com

@HunterTOSun