Canada Reckons With Gymnastics Sex Charges

(ATR) The coach for Canada at the Rio Olympics is free on bail after multiple charges.

Compartir
Compartir articulo
infobae

(ATR) Canada deals with its second case this month of charges of sexual abuse by gymnastics coaches.

Dave Brubaker, the national women’s team director and coach of the Canadian gymnastics team for the 2016 Olympics, is free on bail after his arrest on multiple counts.

A statement from police in the Ontario city of Sarnia says Brubaker is charged with one count of invitation to sexual touching, three counts of sexual interference, three counts of sexual exploitation, and three counts of sexual assault.

Brubaker appeared in court Dec 15 and is free on bond until a February court date.

Gymnastics Canada has placed Brubaker under administrative leave.

A statement says it "was shocked and deeply troubled" by the charges.

"Our first priority within Gymnastics Canada is always the safety of our athletes," said Richard Crépin, chairman of the federation board.

"Sport should be a safe place for everyone, and we’re working hard to ensure that we have the policies and procedures, as well as the education and resources in place, to ensure the safety of all of our participants."

A court ban prohibits Gymanstics Canada or any other parties from releasing further information about the charges against Brubaker.

Police are asking for information from anyone who has possible evidence regarding the accusations. The contact is Detective Constable Soucek at 519-344-8861 extension #6191 or the Sarnia Police Criminal Investigations Branch at 519-344-8861 extension #5300.

Brubaker is the club director of Bluewater Gymnastics Club in Sarnia. He coached there with his wife until 2014, when he took on the national director role for Gymnastics Canada.

The charges against Brubaker follow the suspension Dec. 7 of coach Michel Arsenault by Gymnastics Canada. He faces accusations from the 1980s and 1990s of sexual abuse at a gym in Montreal.

Reported by Ed Hula.