Newfoundland high schooler faces three separate sexual assault trials

A teenager is in court this week for the first of three trials on sexual assault allegations that shook a Newfoundland high school and spurred the province to update safety policies.

Students at Stephenville High School in southwestern Newfoundland protested last February after a male student who allegedly attacked at least three girls in separate incidents off site was allowed back in the building to potentially cross paths with them.

The young man’s identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Neither the Crown prosecutor nor the youth’s defence lawyer would comment when contacted by The Canadian Press.

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District confirmed in February that the accused faced sexual assault allegations involving one female student “and possibly others.”

But it cited limited circumstances under provincial law which allow a student to be removed from school.

“A criminal charge, however serious, does not authorize removal,” it said at the time.

The provincial government announced last month changes to its Schools Act “aimed at ensuring a safe learning environment.”

Proposed updates to the legislation will empower education officials to refuse school attendance by a student that could be “detrimental to the physical or mental well-being of students or staff,” according to a news release.