The investigation continues into a case involving a teacher who is alleged to have created fake profiles and concealment to arrange sexual acts.
Thirty-two-year-old teacher and volleyball coach Markus Hicks is alleged to have created fake social media accounts posing as females.
Markus Hicks
RNC Constable James Cadigan says the use of deception in arranging a sexual encounter, removes consent.
“You cannot consent to a sex act,” if you have been “led to believe it is another person,” says Cadigan. “So, there’s a level of deception there, and you cannot consent in that situation.”
Police are asking anyone who may have had communication with two accounts and usernames, Isabella Ricci, username bellaricci4, or Corinne Smith, username smittycor15, to reach out to investigators.
The RNC is taking a trauma-informed approach to the investigation, which allows those affected to lead the process.
Petten Promotes Kids in the Know Program
PC Education Critic Barry Petten is pointing to the Kids in the Know program as a possible solution to helping better educate children about online safety.
Recent sexual assault allegations against a teacher and coach have sparked a conversation about online safety.
Police say 32-year-old Markus Hicks used fictitious identities, social media apps and concealment to arrange sexual activity.
Petten says the Kids in the Know Program teaches children about exploitation.
Petten and Miles4Smiles Foundation founder Bev Moore Davis have been advocating for government to adopt the program, but he says conversations with Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell have not gone well.
Government has told them that they are taking a phased-in approach with the program, to which Petten replies “get on with it.” He believes it would make a big difference.
