Greater Victoria teacher charged with sexual exploitation and child luring

Saanich police say a 36-year-old teacher in the Greater Victoria School District has been charged with multiple offences following investigations into allegations of sexual interactions with students.

According to a statement released by the Saanich Police Department on Tuesday, the department's Special Investigations Section (SIS) launched an investigation in early 2024 after receiving information about a female teacher allegedly involved in sexual interactions with students and identifying a victim.

Police say that during the course of that investigation, additional alleged victims were identified, prompting a second investigation.

On Feb. 15, 2024, SIS officers arrested Marnie Burnham, who also taught under the name Marnie Forin. She has since been charged with three counts of sexual exploitation and two counts of telecommunication to lure a child under 18.

Police say Burnham has been released pending trial, with several conditions. Those include no contact with the alleged victims, no presence on school property, and no contact with anyone under the age of 18.

In a letter sent to families of Oak Bay High and Mount Douglas Secondary on Tuesday, superintendent Deb Whitten confirmed the school district was made aware of the allegations and immediately launched an investigation, notifying police, the Ministry of Education, and the Teachers' Regulation Branch.

Whitten said the teacher is currently on unpaid leave and has signed an undertaking not to practice. She is prohibited from visiting school or Board of Education properties and from interacting with students.

"Students known to have been involved have been contacted by the District and/or police services and advised of support services," the letter stated. "We acknowledge and commend the courage of any person who comes forward to speak about their personal experiences."

Whitten urged students seeking support to reach out to police, school counsellors, school administration, or the District's Indigenous Education Department, which she said offers safety and well-being services to the school community.

The Ministry of Education and Child Care says the teacher has not been authorized to teach in B.C. since the investigation began. In a statement to CBC News, the ministry said it takes the situation seriously and is supporting the district's response efforts.

Investigators believe there may be more individuals who have not yet come forward. They are asking anyone who had contact with Burnham before December 2024, was under the age of 18, and believes that contact was of a sexual nature, to email specialinvestigations@saanichpolice.ca.

"We want to thank those who have come forward for their bravery," the statement reads.

"It's been an investigation we've been working on for a while now," said Detective Const. Sean Kay with SIS while talking to reporters on Tuesday. "Our message today is basically a plea to the community to see if we can identify more victims who are out there, because we believe that there are."

He encouraged parents to check in with their children and keep lines of communication open.

"I would say that if you are a parent of any of these students, check in with your kids and just ask them and have that frank conversation," Kay added. "Let them know that nothing is their fault and it's important that if they want to speak to us, we're here to support them."

Police say support services are available through Greater Victoria Police Victim Services and the Men's Therapy Centre.

None of the charges against Burnham have been proven in court.