A York University assistant football coach was charged with luring a child under 18 and attempting to make child pornography, Toronto Police Service (TPS) said in a Feb. 22 release.
Daniel Younis, a 24-year-old recruiting co-ordinator and running back coach for the York University Lions, was charged Feb. 21 following a three-month period of alleged exchanges between himself and a 16-year-old boy.
Younis and the boy engaged in cellphone and internet chats between December 2012 and February 2013, according to police.
“The victim sent images of himself to the accused using his cell phone,” police spokesman Const. Tony Vella said.
Police say more complainants have stepped forward as of March 1, one week after Younis made his first court appearance, as they continue to investigate all possible leads.
York has suspended Younis pending the outcome of the police investigation, according to a statement released by the university.
“We are extremely disturbed about this very serious allegation and are working closely with the TPS in support of their investigation,” York chief spokesperson Joanne Rider said in the release.
But the university is currently unable to take any further retributive steps because the university itself was not involved in the 16-year-old coming forward and the information they have is “limited,” Rider said.
York has launched its own internal investigation and encouraged a continued open dialogue on the matter among faculty and students alike, according to Rider.
“Our first priority is to fully support students and prospective students, which includes ensuring they have full access to qualified support services,” she said. “We have met with a number of sporting teams and sent out emails to the student population offering support and counselling.”
Rider said that until the police investigation is complete, she is unable to comment further on whether or not the university will be held liable or if there are any other victims.
Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) spokesperson Michel Bélanger said that while the organization has the authority to impose additional sanctions, they haven’t felt the need to do so in past instances.
“Our member universities have very high standards and strict policies of their own, and we have total confidence they will take proper actions on their end in such cases,” Bélanger said.
Other incidents include Dalhousie University suspending its women’s hockey team for the remainder of the season earlier this year following an investigation related to hazing, according to Bélanger.
He also referenced an incident in 2010 in which the University of Waterloo suspended its football program for a year following a doping scandal.
“In all those instances, I think it’s safe to say there was no need for CIS to impose additional sanctions,” Bélanger said.
Police say they believe there may still be more victims connected to Younis’ charges, and urge anyone with information to come forward.
Younis joined the Lions coaching staff following the 2010 football season when he was hired by head coach Warren Craney.
