More 'troubling' incidents at St. Michael's College School
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Police have been alerted to more “troubling” incidents at St. Michael’s College School which has been rock by student sexual assault allegations, the school’s interim president says.
While Father Andrew Leung said in a phone conference on Thursday that the incidents were from the “recent past,” he refused to elaborate.
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“These incidents that have come forward have been sent to police and there is nothing further I can say as they are part of an active police investigation,” Leung said.
Since the sexual abuse allegations first surfaced in November, some former students have spoken of abuse they experienced.
The sexual assault allegations at the school have now led to the cancellation of the football and basket ball teams but other sports such as hockey can continue as there are no allegations of criminal conduct.
Toronto Police have arrested six teens from St. Michael’s College School in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a student in a locker room. Aged 14 and 15, the boys were charged each with assault, gang sexual assault, and sexual assault with a weapon.
St. Michael’s have also expelled eight students and suspended another one in connection with the alleged sexual assault in a locker room and another incident that police said involved hazing and was also captured on video.
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The football and basketball teams have been suspended for the 2019-2020 school year. Leung said there was no reason to put any blame on the coaches of the teams as they weren’t present in the locker rooms at the time of any assaults.
“This incidents are horrific and can’t happen again … somewhere along the line we missed something grave,” Leung said adding the school is looking into the “overall dynamics” of the programs.
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Leung couldn’t say if the allegations have prompted any parents to take their sons out of the all-boys private school or if applications for the next academic year are down.
He did say that any student who is attending the school on a football or basketball bursary will remain enrolled.
After the allegations hit the media, student were told not to wear their uniforms in public.
“It was a proactive action. There is no issue of student safety,” Leung said.
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The board of directors has appointed an independent committee to review the school’s cultural practices and related policies.
“This review is our board’s highest priority, reflecting our commitment to turn the pain of recent events into an opportunity for learning healing and long-term change,” said Michael Forsayeth, chairman of the board.
The committee’s recommendations are expected to be implemented during the 2019-2020 school year.
Toronto Police refused to comment on Thursday.
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