Manitoba RCMP arrest three teenagers suspected of sexual abuse in connection with harassment of hockey players

A group of three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in connection with the hazing of a hockey team, reports the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of Manitoba.

The three are accused of sexually abusing five victims aged 15 and 16, the RCMP said in a press release on Tuesday.

The three teenagers were arrested on Monday – two for sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault and false imprisonment and one for sexual assault and assault, the RCMP said in the news release.

“It’s very important that the youth out there or the people involved in hazing incidents know that their actions can have very serious consequences,” said Staff Sergeant Richard Sherring of the RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit in Winnipeg in an interview.

“Every person who plays sports should be able to do so in a safe environment.”

The arrests are in connection with alleged hazing during a Pembina Valley high school hockey team’s tournament trips to Winnipeg last winter, the RCMP said.

The teenagers are said to have attacked teammates in a Winnipeg hotel in November and January. The allegations were reported to police on February 20, police said.

All of the victims and accused are male hockey players from the Prairie Spirit School Division. The victims were novices, the RCMP said.

The three accused teenagers were released and are scheduled to appear in court in Winnipeg on June 10.

No charges have been officially filed yet, but the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is working with prosecutors and hopes this will happen before the court date.

The principal of one of the schools reported the allegations to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of Pembina Valley after a coach told her about them, Sherring said.

Investigators traveled to the schools to talk to members of the hockey team and others who had information about the incidents, Sherring said.

The RCMP is not releasing the name of the team to protect the identities of the young people involved, he said.

“Go to someone you trust”

The team consists of players from three different school divisions.

One division, the French-speaking Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine, spoke on behalf of all three in a statement to CBC on Tuesday, saying Prairie Spirit declined to comment on the allegations or the involvement of its students.

The departments involved would continue their work to support the affected students and their families and raise awareness of the harassment, the statement said.

“The department’s efforts included remedial work, revision of policies and procedures, and an internal awareness/education campaign,” the statement said.

Sherring encourages everyone involved in youth sports to speak up about such incidents.

“If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, reach out to someone you trust,” Sherring said. “It’s OK to speak up for yourself and come forward.”

The RCMP tries to make young people feel like they are in a safe environment, he said.

“Team building and things like that are one thing,” Sherring said. “It’s quite another thing to push boundaries and put people in situations where they’re vulnerable.”

“Deeply disturbing”

Chad Falk, executive director of the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association, said they are monitoring the situation and will support the school division, but the association cannot comment much on a case pending in court.

“The association’s primary concern is the safety and well-being of all student athletes involved,” Falk said in an email statement.

“The allegations are deeply disturbing and we take them very seriously.”

Wayne McNeil, co-founder of the Respect Group, which offers online training to help people recognise and prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination, said the good news was that the young men felt safe enough to talk to someone about it.

“I applaud the victims in this case for coming forward because it is not easy at all,” said McNeil, who co-founded Respect with Sheldon Kennedy, a former NHL player who was abused by junior hockey coach Graham James.

Wayne McNeil, co-founder of the group Respect with former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy, says victims need to make their own well-being their top priority. (Submitted by Wayne McNeil)

Coaches and parents must evaluate whether teams should allow introductory or rookie programs, McNeil said.

While it is positive that the allegations are being taken seriously, the well-being of all victims is the top priority, he said.

Even if convictions were made, “it will not have a major positive impact on the well-being of the victims in the long run,” he said.

Victims need to seek professional help, he said.

“The number one priority is to take care of yourself.”