HomeMy WebLinkAboutSt. Michael’s College School students released on bail after being charged in alleged sex assault scandal - Toronto Star - 11/19/2018 - Toronto Star - 11/19/201811/20/2018 St. Michael's College School students released on bail after being charged in alleged sex assault scandal I The Star
This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation- ready
onnips of Toronto Star content!
chargedSt. Michael's College School students
released on bail after being
in alleged sex assault
scandal
By MAY WARREN Staff Reporter
Mon., Nov. 19, 2oi 8
releasedSix students of St. Michael's College School have been on bail after being
charged with assault and sexual assault offences in a spiralling scandal over a series
Five students turned themselvesin to police and one was arrested on his way
Deputy ie James er and Insp.Dominic Sinopoli of the sex crimes
unit told reportersa Monday morning news conferenceat Toronto police
headquarters.
S
r d '1�E Y
S� � r,L I ,a';� C r,: ,� o L �t�,I �� ,tet �,r � 1'�[� Y ,1 ��� 1�; ( 6'0 I
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20l 8/l l / 19/six-students-arrested-i n -con nection-with-st-michaels-college-all eged-sex-assault-scandal. html 1/7
11/20/2018 St. Michael's College School students released on bail after being charged in alleged sex assault scandal I The Star
Toronto police Inspt. Dominic Sinopoli announces criminal charges at a
Monday news conference against six students of St. Michael's College
School. Rick Madonoronto Star (RICK MADONIK / TORONTO STAR)
The six boys have each been charged with assault, gang sexual assault and sexual
assault with a weapon, Sinopoli said.
I-Pes-1117 a L"t U117-C-11TULLIT "J"Me"TT's-
1�iosted to social media depicting an alleged sexual assault of a teen boy.
The 22 -second video, which has been viewed by the Star, shows the teen held down
by a group of boys in a locker room while he is allegedly sexually assaulted with
what appears to be a broomstick.
The boys are all younger teens, and cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal
Justice Act. The bail hearing and the identity of the complainant are also covered
OF, OF
4/ St,,).,bsciri1be ; ft:m
11
s
...j.1 cri[,,,.,),e to T[-�w Star fa ust $o,cl�,- y r f
Sti �r s t -t � '-, o �- fi I
9 c')
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20l8/ll/19/six-students-arrested-in-connection-with-st-michaels-college-alleged-sex-assault-scandal.html 2/7
11/20/2018 St. Michael's College School students released on bail after being charged in alleged sex assault scandal I The Star
Second alleged incident of sexual assault reported to t® Michael's College,
principal says
Opinion I St. Mike's toxic, outdated idea of masculinity must change
'Macho culture' at St. Michael's College goes back decades, alumnus claims
As the graphic allegations were read out in a small Toronto courtroom Monday
afternoon,, some oft parents of the accused teens began crying. The teens
appeared distraught and hunched forward in the prisoners'box as Crown Erin
McNamara described what allegedly occurred. Two shook their heads at certain
points.
All six were releasedwith the consent of the Crown with their parents as sureties.
Two of the teens were released on $7,000 bail, with the other four on $5,000 bail.
Their conditions of release include not contacting or being near the complainant,
not going to St. Michael's College School and only using social media with the
"direct and constant supervision" of their sureties.
Police are also investigating at least three other incidents at the school, one an
alleed sexual assaa
ult nd two allege♦ssa
d a
gults.
"We also know there are several videos being circulated," said Sinopoli, adding
Itolice are concerned the videos may still be being shared online.
N� ME M-4
N I%II MI IIWR Me r on
The news conference was briefly delayed after a bomb threat was called in to the
school Monday morning, police said.
The Roman Catholic school expelled eight students and suspended another one in
connection with at least two incidents that allegedly took place on campus and
were captured on video.
St,).6sciribe ; ft:m
11
I s
...j.1 cri[,,,.,),e to T[-�w Star fa ust $o,cl�,- Y r f
Sti �r s t -t � '-, o �- fi i
9 c')
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20l8/ll/19/six-students-arrested-in-connection-with-st-michaels-college-alleged-sex-assault-scandal.html 3/7
11/20/2018 St. Michael's College School students released on bail after being charged in alleged sex assault scandal I The Star
Six boys arrested in St. Michael's assault investigation
M
Six teens have been arrested and charged after an alleged sexual assault
St. Michael's private school in Toronto. Police say anyone in possession o
the video of the alleged incident should delete it immediately. (The
The Star also viewed the second, 49 -second video, shot in the boys'washroom. It
shows a young boy in his underwear — he appears not to be physically injured —
placed in a large sink by other boys, who splash water on him and slap him.
At a late afternoon news conference at the school, principal Greg Reeves told
reporters it's clear St. Michael's College School has "a serious problem."
"As a school we have a responsibility to keep our students safe, but our collective
best efforts, have failed," he said.
Pressed by reporters, he said he didn't call police about the video of the alleged
sexual assault in the locker room, which he saw Monday evening.
When police arrived at the school Wednesday he said he told them about it, but was
always intending to call them.
OF, OF
4/ St,,).,bsciri1be ; ft:m
9
St - 11
id scri[,,,.,),e to T[-�w Star fo� ust $o,cl�,- r' Y r f i � s t 6o �- fi I
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/11/19/six-students-arrested-in-connection-with-st-michaels-college-alleged-sex-assault-scandal.html 4/7
11/20/2018 St. Michael's College School students released on bail after being charged in alleged sex assault scandal I The Star
video from the media.
1.1-11e 7777-7. YasLITCOK,
report the locker room video to police.
Reeves told the Star in an interview Sunday evening ate delay was because he
was busy with expulsion meetings related to the washroom video on Tuesday. The
mother of the locker room victim was out of town and he set up a meeting with both
parents for Wednesday.
11111
MOM, mmrqm�- -
=TF yonce nelts conicrelict., 1717=1711F se 1 41 IWTC iffiffiel-
notified police about the alleged sex assault video.
Reeves said at the Monday news conference that when he saw the video he called
the victim's dad, and his mom was out of town, Neither had been informe bgr
son. The victim was his priority, Reeves said.
"I know I'm being criticized for that, but I've spoken with the victim's parents, they
are very pleased with the timeline, and I think that we're helping the healing of that
victim," Reeves said.
Reeves said the school is co-operating with police. He said a confidential voice mail
has been set up and a full-time social worker is being hired.
US 0,?1711 T T 11-Lif AFF 771M.
as- .11T 1407)? IN- III-LitrYTITY777 7 g N. -1
and bathroom videos, brought in crisis counsellors, and met with members of the
junior football team and their parents.
"There's no good news in this story whatsoever," Mayor John Tory told reporters at
city hall after news of the students' charges.
"This is a school that has a great history, a great distinguished history in our city,
but sometimes it can be the case that cultures within organizations like that — not
I
OF,I irprIll,
St,,).,bsciri1be ; ft:m
St...j.1 scri[,,,.,),e to T[-(: Star fa ust $o,cl�, r Y r I r S, a
9 c')
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/11/19/six-students-arrested-in-connection-with-st-michaels-college-alleged-sex-assault-scandal.html 5/7
11/20/2018 St. Michael's College School students released on bail after being charged in alleged sex assault scandal I The Star
Tory said he couldn't comment on the timing of when police were notified about
"The police should be called in instances where there is suspected criminal conduct
as soon as possible," he said, adding it was best left to others to examine what
happened in this case.
1=77- CITT �17 T72777M, T=TM=2177r, Milli amiliuncet af I
I
investigation into the school's culture. The "SMCS Respect and Culture Review"
will look at the traditions,, rituals and social practices of students. Parents and
alumni will also be consulted.
It will be led by a three-member independent committee of prominent citizens
individuals who don't have any connection to the school and a final report is
exitected . the summer Recommendations will'te im:tlemented Vi the start of
the 2019-20 school year.
It looks as ifyou appreciate ourjournalism. Our reporting changes lives, connects
communities and effects change. Butgoodjournalism is expensive toproduce, and
advertiser revenue throughout the media industry isfalling and unable to carry the
cost. That means we needyou, our readers. We needyour help. Ifyou appreciate de
local reporting, powerful investigations and reliable, responsible information, we
hope you will support us through a subscription. Please click here to subscyibe. I
With files from Isabel Teotonio, Alyshah Hasham and Jennifer Pagliaro
May Warren is a breaking news reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @maywarrenii
REPORT AN ERROR JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS TO ABOUT US
C
li (11:1,
cia
St,,).,bsciri1be ; ft:m
St..j.1 scri[,,,//),e to T[//�w Star fa just 4,
9
Y r V r L[S, 1(3I
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/11/19/six-students-arrested-in-connection-with-st-michaels-college-alleged-sex-assault-scandal.html 6/7
11/20/2018
St. Michael's College School students released on bail after being charged in alleged sex maks wkI The Star
rump used pers,ona emaj! account to send emails
wernment businesa,
IUWTIIC,t -11MISCIIII rTr(75=TM-spap,F-- s -I- I -us rescrIlel-
Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior
written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order
s-eto T-Starfo $ S urS t "0 L
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/20l8/ll/l9/six-students-arrested-in-connection-with-st-michaels-college-alleged-sex-assault-scandal.html 7/7