Former Team Canada junior ski coach Bertrand Charest has been charged with 47 counts of sexual assault on young athletes.
Charest appeared in court on the afternoon of Mar. 11 in St-Jérôme Quebec.
The 47 charges all relate to the alleged sexual abuse of eight youth athletes between 1991 and 1998. The victims were all female between the ages of 14 and 16 years old.
Mont Tremblant police told the CBC that the first alleged victim came forward weeks ago. In weeks that followed, seven other victims came forward, which increased the number of sexual assault charges.
Mont Tremblant police said all eight victims were assaulted at least once in Mont Tremblant, while the other assaults took place during training trips and competitions in:
- USA
- New Zealand
- France
- Austria
One of the victims alleges that Charest sexually abused her while on a training trip in Europe. The victim told CBC’s The Current that she was separated from her parents while training and Charest was the guardian of the athletes.
The CBC cannot identify the woman due to a publication ban while the investigation proceeds.
Charest will remain in custody in St-Jérôme until his next appearance.
Police believe there may be more victims.
Image credit: Google Images
