Cadet hazing sparked

charge of sex assault

Hazing and initiation pranks are not authorized or tolerated among
armed forces cadets and an incident this summer was "isolated and
unacceptable," a Canadian Forces spokesperson says,
BY THE GAZETTE (MONTREAL) OCTOBER 24, 2007

Major De Ciccio (Right) With Chief of the Defence Staff General Natynczyk

Hazing and initiation pranks are not authorized or tolerated among armed forces cadets
and an incident this summer was "isolated and unacceptable," a Canadian Forces
spokesperson says,
"All cadets who attend our summer programs receive training in harassment prevention
and how to file a complaint," Major Carlo Deciccio of the Regional Cadet Support Unit
said yesterday.
He was commenting after three teenagers were charged Monday in Youth Court with
sexual assault with a weapon. The charges stem from an incident alleged to have
occurred in August at the Sea Cadet Summer Training Centre in Ste. Angle de Laval,
near Trois Rivires.

The accused and the alleged victim were age 13 to 15. Military police investigated as
soon as the alleged victim complained, but the case was then turned over to civilian
police and courts.
About 600 teenagers were at the camp when the complaint was launched.
There were no other incidents reported this summer among the 6,500 teens who attend
armed forces cadet camps across Canada, Deciccio said.
The alleged victim complained before the incident went too far. He was not harmed
physically or psychologically, Deciccio said. With his parents' consent, the boy stayed at
the camp for the full session, Deciccio added.
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