Former teacher charged in 2004 sexual assault case

teacherverification May 28, 2013 0

by: Julia Parrish

A former teacher with the city’s public school district has been charged, in connection to a sexual assault dating back nearly ten years. The Edmonton Police Service Sexual Assault Section said Monday that Harvey James Klok, 47 is facing one charge of sexual assault.

Harvey James Klok is shown in a photo dating back to 2008. Courtesy: Southern Gazette. The charge was laid in connection to alleged sexual offences reported by a male student – that took place between September and December 2004.

The incidents took place at Edmonton Christian High School – where Klok worked from 2000 to 2007. The alleged victim came forward in 2012, but police said the case took some time to investigate.

Still, police are commending the young man for coming forward. “The reason we’re doing this today, is just that we want to let people know that it doesn’t matter of your sexual assault is recent or in the past, they’re important to us, no matter when it happened,” Detective Barb Clover with the EPS Sexual Assault Section said. “The EPS takes all of these complaints seriously.”

Klok, who was brought back to Edmonton from Newfoundland to face the charge, had moved east after leaving his position at Edmonton Public Schools.

A spokesperson with the former employer of the accused said it’s difficult for officials from the school district to hear about such a case. “There are individuals in our society, in every walk of life who pose a risk, and it’s terrible when they get into the teaching profession where they have access to children,” Jane Sterling said.

According to some who know Klok, the accused continued to work with young people and teenagers after moving to the east coast. Police said investigators believe there might be other complainants, who have yet to come forward.

This article was written by Julia Parrish and originally published on edmonton