[honey_bunny_043]

My best friend was 16 when her 35 year-old basketball coach took advantage of her. He manipulated her into consenting to have sex repeatedly over a 2 year period. He is married and has an 8 year old daughter. Also, he is currently coaching a university basketball team as well as a U15 basketball team. What are her options for legal action?

[CliffARobinson]

Do you mean she was 16 when it started, and 18 when it ended; or 14 when it started and 16 when it ended? Has she reported it to the authorities?

The Tackling Violent Crime Act raises the legal age of sexual consent in Canada to 16 from 14, the first time it has been raised since 1892.

- Source

I am sure the school would like to know as well. More than likely, they wouldn't look to kindly on one of their employees engaging in sexual relations with their students.

[honey_bunny_043]

16 when it started, 18 when it ended. No she has not reported it because she is unsure of the consequences. He needs to go to jail, and she wants to be as prepared as possible (getting proof) before any action is taken

[CliffARobinson]

Have her read this news report about a Calgary teacher who had sex with a girl from the ages of 15 to 17, very similar.

Has she told her parents yet?

[ebaines]

Honey-bunny: Cliff suggested you are in Canada - is that right? If you are actually in the US - what state?Also, how long ago did this relationship start (statute of limitations may apply, depending on jurisdiction).

[honey_bunny_043]

Cliff: No, she has not told her parents yet. Just her sister, me, him and said bastard know.
Ebaines: yes in Canada. The sex stopped this past summer. However, the relationship was still very sexual up until this past November.

[ScottGem]

She NEEDS to go to the police. While the age of consent is 16, there is an exemption for people in a position of trust. Since he was her basketball coach, that would put him in a position of trust and make the age of consent 18. That means all she needs to do is prove that a sexual relationship existed for him to be prosecuted.

Please urge her to talk to the police or local prosecutor immediately.

[CliffARobinson]

No statute of limitation issues. It is a crime, and he needs to be prosecuted, the problem is getting her to the place where she can report it after sitting down and telling her parents. Her parents are needed in this process. She needs to know it isn't her fault, he is the at fault party. She needs their support as well as her friends like you.

I am so sorry for her and all of you, and I hope Justice is not blind in this awful crime.

[honey_bunny_043]

What kind of proof does she need?

[ScottGem]

Well DNA evidence would be conclusive, but I don't know what other evidence a prosecutor would require. Some evidence of when and where they met for their trysts would probably help.

She should speak to a prosecutor who can give more details.

[excon]

What kind of proof does she need?

Hello h:

She needs NO proof. The cops'll get the proof.. She just needs to REPORT him, and the longer she waits, the harder it will be to convict him. Tell her to call the cops TODAY!!

excon

[Fr_Chuck]

Most likely if he was doing this with them, he was doing this to dozens of others and often they come forward if she reports.