An Edmonton piano teacher is facing charges after a 10-year-old girl reported that he sexually assaulted her during music lessons.
Cassius Alleyne, 59, was arrested Tuesday and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference.
In a news release, the Edmonton Police Service said police were told on March 14 that the girl had been sexually assaulted by her piano teacher “on a number of occasions.”
Police said the assaults happened during lessons, while the girl’s mother was in another part of the house.
Investigators believe there may be more victims. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Alleyne has reportedly been offering piano lessons for seven years, usually seeing students in their own homes. His students include adults and children.
An EPS spokesperson told CBC News he has taught children as young as six years old.
Emmy Stuebing, CEO of the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, said cases of alleged child abuse highlight how important it is for kids to have people they feel safe turning to if they’re being hurt.
“It’s really up to parents and safe caregivers and the community around them,” Stuebing said.
The Zebra Centre supports child abuse survivors and their families, including facilitating police interviews in a child-friendly setting.
“We can’t help if we don’t know. So that’s why it’s so important to report if you suspect something has happened to your child or a child that you know,” Stuebing said.
“It’s up to the safe adults in our province to step up and report it to either police or children’s services.”
Police said Alleyne has been released on bail.
He’s subject to conditions that bar him from having contact with anyone younger than 16. He must also stay away from a list of locations including schools, daycares, playgrounds and public swimming areas.
