Hamilton Catholic teacher 'not currently' in school after sexual assault allegations: chair

Hamilton police are investigating sexual assault allegations against one Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) teacher after a social media post shared Thursday afternoon alleged assaults between 2003 and 2005 by someone who "continued to teach," the post said. 

HWCDSB chair Pat Daly told CBC Hamilton on Sunday the allegations are directed at a teacher at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School on Rymal Road East.

"The name of a teacher was indicated on social media but as it's under investigation and a personnel matter, it would be inappropriate for me to confirm a name," he said in a phone interview.

Daly confirmed the teacher has been teaching for "a number of years" but they are "not currently in one of our schools" as of Friday. Daly wouldn't confirm the teacher's employment status.

When asked if more than one teacher is under investigation by the school board, Daly said "we'll see where the investigation goes."

A letter to families from school principal Michael Lawlor sent Friday evening said the board takes allegations of this nature "very seriously."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by the allegations," read the letter.

Hamilton police's east end division declined to comment on Sunday but the service said in a release on Friday its sexual assault unit is aware of the allegations and encourages anyone with information to come forward.

"We want all survivors of sexual violence to know that we believe them and we will respect their choice in when they report an incident, where and how," read the statement from police.

Resources for sexual assault survivors and their families include:

• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-688-6868 or text 686868 or kidshelpphone.ca.
• Children's Aid Society: (905) 522-1121 (intake) or hamiltoncas.com.
• Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton (SACHA) – Crisis Line (905) 525-4162 or sacha.ca.