Long-time Scouts Canada employee charged with child sex crimes
John Rietveld, 67, worked for organization for 36 years
Ottawa police have charged a long-time Scouts Canada employee and volunteer with several sex crimes involving children dating back to 1978.
John Rietveld, 67, of Ottawa has been charged with buggery, indecent assault on a male, two sexual assaults, two counts of sexual interference with someone under 16, and two counts of inviting sexual touching of someone under 16.
In a news release Wednesday, police said those assaults happened between July 1, 1978 and March 31, 2006. The crimes were reported in the Niagara Region, Mississauga, Perth and Ottawa.
Rietveld volunteered with Scouts Canada from 1967 until 1975 and then worked for them in various roles from 1975 until 2011, the organization said in a statement Thursday.
Scouts Canada said they were made aware of the police investigation in July 2018.
"Mr. Rietveld violated the trust of the youth in his care as well as the trust that Scouts Canada had placed in him as an employee with our organization," Kayleigh Kanoza, director of organizational planning, said in the statement.
"This deeply concerns us."
At no time was Rietveld involved in developing or implementing any of their screening policies, Kanoza said.
Alleged jamboree assault
In one instance, police say Rietveld allegedly assaulted a victim while at a jamboree.
He was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
Investigators say they believe there could be boys and girls who are additional victims. Police want anyone with information to contact the sexual assault and child abuse unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944, or to email SACA@ottawapolice.ca.
