Gymnastics Ontario coach charged with Sexual assault, police seeking other victims

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Wednesday, February 15, 2023      3:35 pm

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit charged Benjamin COOPER, 27 years old of Toronto for sexual offences that occurred between 2014 and 2022 involving seven victims – girls between 14 to 17 years old in the Ottawa and Kingston area. 

From 2014 to 2021, he was employed by Gymnastics Ontario working in Ottawa and Kingston.  Sexual offences took place in the course of his coaching duties and after hours, and incidents continued into 2022.

He was arrested this morning, with assistance from Toronto Police, following a full investigation by the Ottawa Police that commenced in April, 2022.

Charges laid include:

• 6 counts of Sexual Assault

• 2 counts of Sexual Interference with a person under 16 yrs of age

• 3 counts of Invitation to Sexual Touching under the age of 16 yrs of age

• 3 counts of Unlawful possession of Child Pornography

• 5 counts of Sexual Exploitation, and

• 1 count of Harassment by repeated communication with person

Police are concerned there may been more victims in the Ottawa and Kingston areas. We are asking victims to contact their local Police Service for more information.

There are resources and supports in place for survivors of sexual violence, please visit our website.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca. 

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366