Former church youth leader charged with sexual assault

A former youth chief with a P.E.I. church is dealing with historic sexual assault expenses involving three boys.

Jan Vanderzwaag, 43, was formally charged in Might. The case was in Supreme Courtroom in Charlottetown on Tuesday. Vanderzwaag didn’t seem. He has pleaded not responsible to 2 expenses of sexual assault and certainly one of sexual interference. 

CBC Information spoke with two of the boys, who’re brothers. They’re now adults and their names are protected by a publication ban. They say they have been molested by Vanderzwaag in 2001. They are saying they met him by the Christian Reform Church when he was a pacesetter of a gaggle there.

Considered one of them says he was 14 years previous when he was assaulted by Vanderzwaag after they have been invited to a film night time and sleepover. 

“I proceeded to observe him sexually abuse my little brother and it received to a degree the place I simply could not take it anymore and I coughed to get his consideration to get him to come back again to me and he began to abuse me once more.”

He stated the expertise has haunted his household and in spite of everything these years it feels good to come back ahead.

After he made the criticism with RCMP, it was two years earlier than expenses have been laid. He stated it may be tougher for males to be believed, however he is decided to be heard. 

He stated he plans to hunt damages by a civil case, as properly.

“Except this abuse stops, except there may be acknowledgement that this occurred to me, my brothers, to my household. I am not going to cease till I see justice.” 

The church isn’t named within the case, however stated in an e-mail:

“The alleged abuse didn’t happen at our church, or throughout a church exercise. The accused attended our church however was not in a management place. The accused has not attended our church for over 15 years. The RCMP has been investigating this matter already for a while and the church has and continues to totally co-operate. Our church was by no means below investigation.”

Vanderzwaag couldn’t be reached for remark. He has elected trial by decide and jury.

Legal professionals will likely be again in courtroom in January, after which a trial date is anticipated to be set.

Not one of the allegations have been confirmed in courtroom.