Ontario Woman Alleges Sexual Assault by Junior Hockey Players, Highlights Police Response Issues
An Ontario woman has come forward with allegations of a sexual assault by eight former junior hockey players and has detailed complications she faced when attempting to report the incident to police.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) admitted a failure to adhere to its policies when the woman, referred to as “Anne Marie,” contacted a detachment in February 2024 to report an assault from 2014. According to OPP spokeswoman Gosia Puzio, a civilian employee failed to stay on the line with Anne Marie to connect her directly with the appropriate jurisdiction, as required by standard operating procedures.
Incident Details
Anne Marie alleges that in November 2014, while in a consensual relationship with a 19-year-old Ontario Hockey League (OHL) player, she was invited to his billet home. After being led into a basement bathroom, a consensual encounter escalated into a group assault involving eight players. She claims she was assaulted for about 90 minutes, unable to escape the basement or resist.
“I felt trapped,” she said. “You’re stuck in the basement with eight junior hockey players… Trapped in a corner.”
Anne Marie did not report the incident until 2024 after watching a press conference where another woman shared her story of being assaulted by former Team Canada players. Anne Marie said societal stigma and self-blame initially deterred her from seeking help.
Challenges in Reporting
When Anne Marie called the OPP earlier this year, she was directed to contact police in the jurisdiction where the alleged assault occurred. However, that police force advised her to contact the force in the community where she now resides.
Puzio emphasized that the OPP takes sexual assault allegations seriously and recognizes the courage it takes for victims to come forward. However, the procedural lapse prompted a review of the mishandled call.
Survivor’s Perspective
Anne Marie shared her journey of grappling with the trauma and accepting what happened to her. Initially, she blamed herself for the incident, believing her decision to visit the player made her responsible. It wasn’t until years later that she began to understand and identify her experience as sexual assault.
“I just felt ashamed,” she said. “It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I realized it was sexual assault… The worst part has been accepting what happened.”
Support Resources
For survivors of sexual assault in Canada, resources and support are available. A full list of sexual assault centres offering advocacy, information, and counselling can be found on the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres website.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
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