Ontario sex assault investigation inspired by allegations made in Victoria
After numerous women came forward telling their stories of allegedly being sexually assaulted by Jesse Chiavaroli, a bartender at the now closed Chuck’s Burger Bar in Victoria, he now faces six charges of sexual assault in Hamilton, Ontario.
"The offence dates span between 2015 and 2018," said acting Det-Sgt. Candace Culp of the Hamilton Police Service.
Police say media coverage of the Victoria allegations had women coming forward in Hamilton with their own allegations of sexualized violence.
"The investigation started in February 2021, although there were two reported incidents dating back to 2016 that were reported at the time but did not result in charges," said Culp.
Those two cases have been reopened and are part of the current six charges.
"When we first heard the news of the arrest, our thoughts were immediately with the survivors," said Carissa Ropponen, resource development and communications manager at the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre.
"Think about how they must be feeling at the moment," she said.
The separate allegations in Victoria that led to the shutdown of Chuck’s Burger Bar started on the Survivor Stories Project Instagram account. That allowed many survivors to anonymously tell their very personal and painful stories.
"We imagine that they are feeling the beginning of a sense of justice, a sense of relief, of validation and hope," said Ropponen.
That Instagram account is being credited with starting an important conversation which in turn led to Chiavaroli’s arrest.
"I think one of the things that happens here is that survivors don’t suffer in silence," said Dr. Janni Aragon, director of the technology and society program at the University of Victoria. "They are able to find community, share their stories and get on the path to heal."
Chiavaroli has not been charged in connection with any of the allegations made in Victoria. None of the allegations in Victoria or Ontario have been tested or proven in court.
Chiavaroli is currently out on bail and will appear in a Hamilton courtroom on July 19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.