Saanich police have received multiple inquiries from the public about a Greater Victoria teacher facing charges related to youth sexual assault after making a public appeal for potential victims this week.
Police asked any minors who had contact of a sexual nature with 36-year-old Marnie Burnham, who also taught under the name Marnie Forin, before December 2024 to contact investigators.
Burnham faces three counts of sexual exploitation and two counts of telecommunication to lure a child under 18. The charges stem from two separate investigations involving at least two alleged victims, said Insp. Damian Kowalewich.
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, the charge of sexual exploitation refers to a person in a position of trust or authority toward a teen between 16 and 18 years old who, for a sexual purpose, touches a young person or invites a young person to touch any person for a sexual purpose, including the person in authority or themselves.
A five-day jury trial is scheduled to start at B.C. Supreme Court on June 16.
Investigators are following up with anyone who responded to the department’s request, Kowalewich said.
Police cannot say whether the responses are from additional alleged victims, he said.
“We aren’t able to speak to the nature of those queries right now, but we will follow all of them up with as much detail as possible,” he said.
Highly trained detectives are leading the investigation, taking a trauma-informed approach to minimize the impact on vulnerable young people, Kowalewich said.
The situation is a reminder for parents to speak openly with their children and ensure they have ways to get themselves out of situations that don’t feel right and safe, said Laura Vye, executive director of the Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre.
“This would be a stressful and worrisome time for families and children and teachers in schools, but just try to remain calm and have open conversations with your kids,” she said.
Vye said parents should talk with their children about what they have heard and how they feel about the news. It’s important to remind children they’re not in trouble, she said.
“Have those regular conversations with your children and youth, and encourage them to speak to you if something does happen to them, and that you’re there for them, and that you’ll work it out together, and that in none of these cases it’s their fault,” Vye said.
