Ontario Hockey League will co-operate with investigation into sexual assault allegation

 

According to the Ontario Hockey League, it is treating the latest accusations of sexual assault against eight former players "very seriously" and will help any law enforcement agency looking into the charges.

In a report that aired on CTV on Wednesday, a woman claimed that in November 2014, while a 19-year-old player she was dating was billeted at a residence in the OHL, she was sexually abused by eight OHL players. Several of the players, according to her, went on to play in the NHL.

The OHL has issued a statement regarding allegations in a CTV Report filed on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/MRZ4m0nCN4

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 17, 2024

The 32-year-old lady claimed that early this year, she went to Ontario Provincial Police and reported the purported occurrence.

In a statement released on Thursday, the OHL stated that it was initially made aware of the claims of sexual assault on Wednesday.

The NHL expressed its "deep trouble" over any charge of this kind in response to the news. We don't know anything more than what was reported by the media on Wednesday night."

None of the accusations have been proven in court, and neither the athletes nor the teams they were allegedly a part of were mentioned in the CTV article.

The alleged event has been reported, and Hockey Canada is still handling claims of sexual assault against members of its national junior teams from 2003 and 2016.

Resources for sexual assault survivors in Canada

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, you should call 911.

A full list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling can be found on the website for the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres

Helplines, legal services and locations that offer sexual assault kits in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia can be found here

National Residential School Crisis Line: +1 866 925 4419

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010

Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366

Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: +1 844 750 1648

Read about your rights as a victim here.