NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit – Crimes Against Children Section have laid charges against a 58-year-old man from Markham in connection with historic sexual assaults against a child.
The investigation began in April 2021, when a victim came forward and reported that he had been sexually assaulted on two occasions by an older male in 1989 when he was approximately 12 years of age.
On June 4, 2021, the accused was arrested and has been charged.
Through the investigation, officers learned that the accused was a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of York Region in 1989 and volunteered with the Boy Scouts in the mid-80s.
He was also a supply elementary school teacher in York Region with the York Region Catholic School board from 2000 to 2004 and had access to children in those roles.
Investigators are urging anyone with information or any additional victims to please come forward.
Charged:
• Steven Wolfer, 58, of the City of Markham
Charges:
• Sexual assault
• Sexual interference of a child under 14
The accused will be appearing again before the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on July 16, 2021.
A sexual assault includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. York Regional Police would like to encourage anyone who feels they may have been a victim of a sexual assault to come forward and report the incident to police. There is no statute of limitations for sexual offences and offenders can be prosecuted well after the date of the offence. If you are the survivor of sexual assault, you can report the incident online if:
• You are not in immediate danger
• The person who assaulted you is not present
• There is no evidence present that may be collected by police (blood, semen, saliva, etc.). Evidence can be collected for up to 12 days after the sexual assault has occurred
• You have access to a private email address, to which the suspect does not
If someone is not ready to report, however is seeking support, please contact York Region Victim Services. Additional resources and information can be found on our website.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit – Crimes Against Children at 1-866-876-5423, ext.7071, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave an anonymous tip online.
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