A former Toronto Jewish school teacher arrested for child pornography last fall faces new charges after three victims came forward to police.
Stephen Joseph Schacter, 55, was initially arrested on Dec. 16, 2015 after police executed a search warrant at his home in North York.
An investigation commenced after the accused was allegedly caught viewing child pornography on a computer at an Employment and Social Services Centre at Lawrence Square on Nov. 6, 2015.
He was charged with one count of possession of child pornography.
Schacter was arrested again on Feb. 24 in relation to three victims police say he had “ready access” to as a teacher in the 1980s and 1990s.
He has been charged with two counts of sexual assault, sexual interference, sexual exploitation and gross indecency.
Police are urging anyone who may have been a victim to come forward.
“Some victims may believe that what happened to them will have not impact on the case. But that is simply not true. There is power in numbers,” said Det. Const. Joel Manherz during a press conference Monday morning.
Police said the accused was an elementary school teacher at the Eitz Chaim schools between 1986 and 2004.
Schacter was a primary teaching assistant for Pleasant Avenue Public School in 2004.
He was also an administrator at the United Synagogue Day School between 2005 and 2009 and also worked as a private tutor from 2009 until 2011.
Police said evidence seized during the search warrant in the first arrest indicates Schacter may have had inappropriate contact with students in the past.
Manherz believe there are victims who have come forward to schools but have yet to come forward to police.
“So far those victims are choosing not to make a statement to the police. I think it’s just the matter of finding the courage in order for them to come forward.”
Comments