Some in the Winnipeg football community say it is clear that more progress needs to be made in how sexual assault survivors are treated, as five former high school players appeared this month with accusations against a longtime coach dating back years. Kelsey Albert Dana McKay has been charged this week with multiple offenses, including sexual assault and seduction, after Winnipeg police said they received reports from five adults who allegedly attacked McKay between 2004 and 2011 while they were students and playing football. at Churchill High School and Vincent. Massey College. Most of the attacks reportedly took place at McKay’s home in Winnipeg Police Service Const. said Dani McKinnon at a news conference Wednesday. None of the charges against the 51-year-old have been proven in court. Geordie Wilson, head coach of the Winnipeg Rifles youth soccer team, said he was concerned that the culture surrounding some men’s sports made it particularly difficult for players who had survived a sexual assault to appear. Wilson, whose team has nine former Vincent Massey players on the roster, said that needed to change. “We have to admire them and we have to start treating them as heroes when they come forward, because it is a difficult thing,” he said. “And then maybe what he’s doing is paving the way, if there are other victims of this situation, [for them to come forward]. “ McKinnon told reporters she would not be “surprised” if the sex crimes unit received more calls after Wednesday’s press conference. Anyone with information that could help the researchers please call 204-986-6245.

“Completely unacceptable”: player

McKay, who is currently still a teacher at Vincent Massey, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave and will not be allowed to enter the school’s property, Pembina Trails’s headmaster Ted Fransen said on Wednesday. The teacher was released after his arrest on certain conditions, including an order not to contact any of the complainants or anyone under the age of 18. He is also barred from coaching or otherwise participating in football, according to court documents. Vincent Massey student Sean Marchello, who has had McKay as his football coach for the past three years, said he and his teammates were shocked and angry when they heard the news of the teacher’s arrest this week. Sean Marchello, who was spotted here in an interview with Zoom on April 14, is a student and footballer at the Vincent Massey Collegiate. He said that he and his teammates feel a lot of empathy for those who made allegations of sexual assault against his former coach this month. (Zoom)
“When you are a coach and a teacher, you build a level of trust and respect just because they are in a position of power,” said the 18-year-old, who now plays for the Winnipeg Rifles. “[Some of] these allegations and things happened more than 18 years ago. And I just think it’s totally unacceptable for it to go on for so long. “ Wilson said that in addition to changing the culture of how sexual assault is discussed in sport, there should be more programs and support — even at the high school level — to prevent sexual assault and help survivors. to get their help. need. At the University of Manitoba Bisons University football team, these controls and balances involve implementing the pillars of the Responsible Coaching Movement, said Gene Muller, director of sports and leisure at the university. One of these pillars is rule that two responsible adults must be present for all interactions with players. The university also requires all student-athletes to complete a sexual assault prevention lab, Muller said. This workshop includes training to develop empathy and support for survivors and how to respond to situations that may lead to sexual violence, university website says. Muller said in an email that the Bisons were “committed to the health and safety of student-athletes” and approached to remind them of their support for the university ahead of McKay’s arrest. From Marchello’s point of view, there is still room for improvement in the support available to support high school-level sexual assault survivors. But among his peers, he has seen a wave of empathy for those who have made allegations against his former coach – and for anyone else he can. “It takes a lot of courage and bravery,” Marchello said. “We all support these people who are coming forward and we encourage, if there are other survivors, [we encourage them] to come forward and tell their experiences, because that is very important “. Support for survivors and others is available through the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631 or through the Winnipeg Police Victims Service at 204-986-6350.