A month after being rocked by allegations of assault and sexual assault, St. Michael’s College School announced Thursday who will be part of an independent committee looking into the school’s culture, as police revealed they are now investigating two additional incidents, bringing the total to eight.The four-member “respect and culture review” committee will look at social and cultural practices, both current and past, and at the school’s policies, protocols and practices when it comes to addressing sexual, physical or verbal abuse and hazing. “The important work of this committee — and its recommendations — will benefit both current and future students,” said Michael Forsayeth, chair of the board of directors at the prestigious all boys’ private school in Toronto. “This review is our board’s highest priority, reflecting our commitment to turn the pain of recent events into an opportunity for learning, healing, and long-term change.”The committee is made up of members with no prior connection to the school and its final report is due in the summer. It will be chaired by Mark Sandler, a leading lawyer experienced in systemic reviews of this nature. And it will include Debra J. Pepler, a psychology professor at York University who researches aggression, bullying, and victimization involving children and adolescents; Bruce Rodrigues, a former Ontario deputy minister of education; and Priti Sachdeva, former legal counsel at the province’s Office of the Children’s Lawyer, which represents children in court cases. The announcement comes on the same day that police say they are now looking at eight incidents, according to spokesperson Const. Caroline de Kloet.Last month, six boys were charged with assault, gang sexual assault and sexual assault with a weapon in an incident involving a young teen that allegedly took place in a locker room. The alleged assault was videotaped and sha ...
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