Former Vancouver Island teacher charged with sexual exploitation, child luring

SHAWNIGAN LAKE, B.C. – A Vancouver Island private school says a teacher accused of a series of sexual offences against young people is no longer employed at its facility.

Andrew Olson is accused of four counts of sexual exploitation — a charge which applies to authority figures who sexually assault a minor — one count of luring a child and one count of assault causing bodily harm.

Crown spokesman Neil MacKenzie says the alleged offences happened at or near Shawnigan Lake between December 2014 and March 2015.

Shawnigan Lake School released a statement saying it is very serious about its duty to care for young people, that the situation is upsetting for the school community and that the teacher is no longer at the school.

A biography of Olson on the University of British Columbia’s website says he received a Master’s degree from the institution and went on to become a teacher and house director at Shawnigan Lake School.

RCMP Cpl. Darren Lagan confirmed that an investigation into allegations against Olson began in late March, but would not provide any further detail.