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Pefferlaw man, 79, arrested for historic child sex assaults

Three victims have come forward who were between 8 and 11 years old at the time the incidents occurred, police say
NewmarketToday Staff

A 79-year-old Pefferlaw man faces multiple charges in connection with historical sexual offences committed against three girls.

An investigation began on May 1, 2023, after two victims came forward to report they had been sexually assaulted by the same man when they were young, beginning in the early 1980s, according to a York Regional Police news release.

A third victim who was sexually assaulted in 2019 was also located, police added.

The victims were aged between eight and 11 when the incidents occurred, police said.

The accused has lived or worked in different locations, Georgina, McMurrich Monteith, Cambridge, Oshawa and Michigan.

Investigators are releasing photos of the accused from the '80s up to a more recent photograph and are urging any additional victims to come forward.

Harvey Kenneth Jackson is charged with sexual assault x5, gross indecency X3, and sexual interference x2.

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 victimservices-york.org . Additional resources and information can also be found on our website http://www.yrp.ca/en/services/resources/sexualassaultsurvivorsguide.pdf.

Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is asked to contact the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.