CALGARY, March 7, 2014 /CNW/ - A former BC minor hockey and baseball coach was arrested on March 6, 2014 for the historical sexual assault of several youths between 1976 and 1981. The BC RCMP Major Crimes Section arrested 58-year-old Alan John DAVIDSON in Calgary, Alberta where he is currently residing.
In November of 2012, an adult male contacted the Burnaby RCMP to file a report against his former minor hockey coach. The complainant advised that while he was in high school and living in Clearwater, BC in the early 1980's, he had allegedly been sexually assaulted by his coach. He also added that it was possible that other players on the hockey team had been similarly assaulted by the suspect.
Burnaby RCMP initiated what would evolve into an extensive investigation spanning three provinces: British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Due to the complexity of this investigation, the BC RCMP Major Crime Section took conduct of the file. As a result of initial interviews with possible victims and witnesses, a second victim came forward allegedly having been sexually assaulted by his baseball coach.
Since the initial complaint was lodged and subsequent to the exhaustive investigative efforts to date in all three provinces in which the accused has resided and worked over the past 30 years, a total of eight (8) victims have come forward making similar allegations. All the reported incidents allegedly occurred in the Thompson-Okanagan Region of BC while the majority of the victims belonged to either hockey or baseball teams that were being coached by the accused.
During the investigation it was learned that Alan Davidson had served in the RCMP as a Regular Member in various Detachments in Saskatchewan and in Lloydminster, Alberta from February 1982 until he retired in August 1996 to pursue other business ventures.
Davidson has been charged with 8 counts of indecent assault contrary to Section 156 of the Criminal Code. All offences the accused has been charged with occurred prior to him becoming a Regular Member of the RCMP. Superintendent Brendan Fitzpatrick, Operations Officer of BC RCMP Major Crime Section acknowledges the matter is now before the courts in which all investigative findings will be presented. "I would also like to commend those individuals who came forward after all these years, considering the traumatic nature of the allegations. A great deal of work has been done to date, however our investigation is ongoing and we respect that there could be other individuals out there with information connected to our investigation. It is important for you to please contact the police".
To assist potential victims and witnesses in recalling memory, the RCMP is also releasing a photo of the accused in the time frame of the current allegations (attached), and listed below is a timeline of where the accused had lived and worked over the last three decades.
1970's to 1981 - Clearwater, BC
August 1981 - February 1982 - Regina, Saskatchewan
February 1982 - December 1983 - Coronach, Saskatchewan
December 1983 - April 1986 - Lloydminster, Alberta
April 1986 - August 1993 - Yorkton, Saskatchewan
August 1993 - 1996 - North Battleford, Saskatchewan
August 1996 onwards - Alberta (currently resides in Calgary)
While charges have been laid, there may be other victims who would like to come forward or witnesses who may have information that could assist with the ongoing investigation. You can contact the RCMP through a toll free tip line at 1-877-687-3377.
Alan Davidson is scheduled to make his next court appearance April 3, 2014 in Kamloops.
Sheldon Kennedy, Co-Founder, Respect Group and Board Member of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, weighed in on the arrest, "I applaud the RCMP for their persistence and diligence with this case. This is not easy work. I also respect those victims who have filed a report and I appeal to any others to come forward. I know this is a tough decision but excellent support is available and it is an important next step in your journey to heal".
Note: There is the belief that there are several other victims and Sheldon would like the opportunity, through the media, to encourage them to come forward and ensure them that their voice will be heard.
Image with caption: "To assist potential victims and witnesses in recalling memory, the RCMP is also releasing a photo of the accused in the time frame of the current allegations. (CNW Group/Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140307_C9992_PHOTO_EN_37700.jpg
SOURCE: Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre
Sheldon Kennedy Media Availability
Friday March 7th, 2014 - 2 PM MST
Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre
400, 3820 - 24th Ave SW
Calgary, AB T3B 2X9
Call 403-819-6716 to confirm
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