Investigators with the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have charged a 44-year-old man in connection with a historic sexual assault that occurred at a church in the City of Richmond Hill.

On Thursday, June 6, 2024, the victim reported they had been sexually assaulted by the suspect on multiple occasions when they were 12. The victim advised these assaults occurred in 2016 and 2017. The suspect had repeatedly touched the victim for a sexual purpose.

On Wednesday, June 16, 2024, the suspect man charged. Investigators believe there are more victims and encourage them to come forward.

A sexual assault includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. York Regional Police would like to encourage anyone who feels they may have been a victim of a sexual assault to come forward and report the incident to police. There is no statute of limitations for sexual offences and offenders can be prosecuted well after the date of the offence. If you are the survivor of sexual assault, you can report the incident online if:

• You are not in immediate danger
• The person who assaulted you is not present
• There is no evidence present that may be collected by police (blood, semen, saliva, etc.). Evidence can be collected for up to 12 days after the sexual assault has occurred
• You have access to a private email address, to which the suspect does not

If someone is not ready to report, however is seeking support, please contact York Region Victim Services victimservices-york.org or the Women’s Support Network womenssupportnetwork.ca. Additional resources and information can be found on our website http://www.yrp.ca/en/services/resources/sexualassaultsurvivorsguide.pdf.

Anyone with information is asked to call the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

Visit our Community Safety Data Portal for complete stats and crime data within York Region. Crime prevention is our shared responsibility. Learn more about Operation Streetview.

Prepared by:   Constable James Dickson
                      24-174622
                      July 12, 2024