Substitute’s touching kids at P.E.I. schools not believed to be sexual at the time, says PSB [Video]

WARNING: This story contains disturbing descriptions of child sex abuse. Resources and supports for anyone who has experienced sexual violence can be found at the bottom of this story.

Two incidents of substitute teacher Matthew Alan Craswell inappropriately touching students at different P.E.I. elementary schools “were believed to be non-sexual in nature” at the time, the province’s Public Schools Branch said in an email to parents late Thursday evening.

“These incidents were reported by different elementary schools about eight months apart (June 2023 and April 2024) and occurred during classroom games. The students involved reported Craswell touching them on their arms and stomach,” reads the letter from PSB director Tracy Beaulieu.

“Following the investigations, and based on the information available at that time, these incidents were believed to be non-sexual in nature… With the new information revealed during the court proceedings, it is now clear that the incidents were sexual in nature, contrary to what was initially believed.”

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