Former St. Laurent school coach on trial for sexual assault
By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban
Daniel Lacasse, one of three École St. Laurent basketball coaches accused of sexual assault against underage students, is on trial in a case that is expected to conclude this week. Lacasse, as well as fellow coaches Charles-Xavier Boislard and Robert Luu, were arrested in February 2022.
One of the students, who was 16 at the time, testified last week that Lacasse acted slowly and methodically, by insinuating himself into her life and that of her mother, and then committed the assaults on and off the school grounds.
The female student, who cannot be identified, said the alleged assaults took place as much as three times a week in such locations as Lacasse’s car and house, and in the school’s laundry and teacher’s locker room. She said assaults took place from 2010 to 2012.
The former student said the coach’s involvement in her life began with visits, accompanying her to doctors’ appointments, and providing money for food as the mother was struggling financially, working at three jobs. According to the testimony, the helpful actions distracted from the coach’s alleged insulting behaviour at school. The former student also said Lacasse had adult-oriented conversations with her, including what attracted him to a woman.
The student then alleged that the sexual assaults began with Lacasse touching her thighs and then escalated to full sex. She said he was known for sleeping with other female students.
As previously reported by The Suburban, a 2023 Ministry of Education report said the system failed students who complained of sexual assault, which was part of a harmful atmosphere at the school for some 20 years.
The report said complaints were made about inappropriate behaviour and words by coaches to the Marguerite-Bourgeoys Service Centre, the high school itself and the Quebec Basketball Federation, but they did not take action.
The report also pointed out that if complaints were made to the school, or were received by the Réseau du sport sportif du Québec through its “Je porte plainte” website, the entities did not share the information. As a result, many complaints could be made against a particular coach, but the matter would not be investigated. n
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