Sexual assault victims encouraged to come forward after former Calgary teacher charged
Calgary police are hoping any other possible victims will come forward after a former Calgary teacher was charged with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Mario Joseph Denis Arsenault, 54, of Levis, Que., was charged with two counts of sexual exploitation and one count of sexual assault on Monday.
“Our worry is that there are other victims out there that may be going through some difficult challenges, as a result of having been victimized by someone like this,” Staff Sgt. Tom Hanson, with the Calgary Police Service’s (CPS) sexual assault investigative unit, said in an interview on Tuesday.
“So we’re hoping that once they hear about this information coming out, they’ll gather some courage up and feel confident to report it to police.”
Police said the victim, who is now an adult, came forward in 2023, reporting multiple instances of sexual assault between 2000 and 2003 when a teacher began an inappropriate relationship with her.
“It takes a tremendous amount of courage,” Hanson said.
“I think they got themselves some help and some encouragement, and it was reinforced to them at that time – or throughout their treatment – that they had not been the instigator in all this, that they were actually the victim.”
Arsenault worked at Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys School from 2000 to 2017, FrancoSud, Calgary’s Francophone school board, confirmed in a statement Monday.
Hanson said CPS investigators travelled to Quebec to interview Arsenault and he was subsequently charged after that meeting. Police confirmed Arsenault was still employed as a teacher.
At this point in the investigation, police have not received any further information about the matter, but are encouraging any other victims to come forward.
“Oftentimes, when one victim comes forward, other victims will gather up the courage to come forward themselves and report how they’ve been victimized themselves,” Staff Sgt. Tom Hanson, with the Calgary Police Service’s sexual assault investigative unit, said on Tuesday.
Police believe Arsenault used his position of trust to befriend the victim and develop a sexual relationship with her.
“Several of the assaults are believed to have taken place in his vehicle and at his residence,” CPS said in a news release on Monday.
Hanson said it can be difficult for police to find evidence in historical cases, but often more leads are revealed throughout the investigation.
“We have the most difficulty proving a case when it’s the victim’s word against the offender’s word, but oftentimes there’s other evidence that comes forward, there may be letters or emails, or other types of communication that have taken place that corroborate the victim’s side of the story,” he said.
Arsenault is scheduled to appear in court on June 6.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
“In Canada, there is no time limit on reporting a sexual assault. Anyone who believes they are a victim of sexual assault is encouraged to report it, even if many years have passed since the incident,” police said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
BREAKING Teenager in critical condition after being hit by train in N.W. Calgary
A teenager is in critical condition after they were hit by a train in northwest Calgary on Tuesday afternoon.
'Irrefutable evidence': integrity commissioner finds Parole Board member sexually harassed 'several' employees
There is 'irrefutable evidence' a member of the Parole Board of Canada sexually harassed multiple employees, without adequate disciplinary action from management, according to a report by Canada's Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.