A teacher and volleyball coach accused of sexual assault through online predatory means will be in court for a bail hearing today.

Thirty-two year-old Markus Hicks of Trail’s End, Paradise, was charged by the RNC last week and has been in custody since Thursday.

Hicks most recently taught at Waterford Valley High in St. John’s and that has caused angst in school communities in the province.

Valerie Barter, Executive Director with Violence Prevention Avalon East, an organization which strives to reduce violence in our homes and communities, doesn’t believe that parents are aware of all the apps and information available regarding online safety and predatory practices.

She’s hoping that schools use outside groups, such as theirs, to go into the schools and promote awareness and education of online safety. She says teachers have enough on their plate as it is.