Man sentenced to 3 years for sexually abusing Island girl for months
Steven Douglas Arsenault was picked up in Ontario and brought back to P.E.I. last year
WARNING: This story contains descriptions of child sex abuse. Resources and supports for anyone who has experienced sexual violence can be found at the bottom of this story.
A man who had been living on Prince Edward Island has been sentenced to three years in jail for sexually touching a child while he lived here.
Steven Douglas Arsenault, 40, had originally pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his sexual abuse of the girl. His first trial date in March was rescheduled to April, and then he changed one of his pleas on the day the trial was set to go ahead.
Arsenault pleaded guilty to a sexual interference charge, and the Crown stayed two other charges: sexual assault and invitation to sexual touching.
CBC News is withholding details including the timing, location and circumstances of the crime in order to protect the identity of the victim, who was under the age of 12.
During his sentencing in Charlottetown on May 5, Arsenault appeared by video from the provincial jail as the court heard how he had abused the girl over the course of five months.
Gifts and other grooming behaviour
Court documents show Arsenault first sexually touched the victim when she had been left in his care, which wasn't a normal arrangement.
But after that, "the sexual touching happened almost every day in similar fashion," Crown prosecutor Chee Ng told the courtroom.
"The accused would make her sit on his lap and would touch, as [the victim] describes it, her 'boobs,' 'vagina' and 'butt.'"
On at least one occasion, Arsenault made the child touch his penis over his clothes.
He would also buy things for her, including candy, toys and teddy bears.
After he bought them, he would say that she had to 'do stuff for him.' He would also tell her that she 'owes him' for the gifts.— Court documents in Arsenault case
"After he bought them, he would say that she had to 'do stuff for him.' He would also tell her that she 'owes him' for the gifts," the documents read.
The Alberta Child Advocacy Centres organization describes this gift-giving behaviour as a step in the grooming process. That's when an offender slowly builds the trust of a child, and often their parents, in order to be given access to the child and opportunities for abuse.
The organization describes finding reasons to be alone with the child as part of that pattern — and that's something Arsenault did, according to the court documents presented in Charlottetown.
The sexual abuse went on until Arsenault left the Island to resume his job as a carnival worker in Ontario.
Months later, the girl told a social worker and police what Arsenault had done to her. He was then arrested in Ontario by police there. Detectives from Charlottetown flew up to get him and bring him back to P.E.I.
"Charlottetown Police take allegations of sexual assault, touching or interference very seriously. This file was investigated by members of our Major Crime Unit," Deputy Chief Sean Coombs told CBC News in an email.
"We are pleased with the outcome of the investigation and the guilty plea which was subsequently entered into court."
Sentencing called 'fit and proper'
Arsenault has been in jail on P.E.I. since September 2024. His legal aid lawyer has said he doesn't have strong ties to the Island or a support system here.
"We have crafted a sentence that we think is fitting," Chris van Ouwerkerk told provincial court Chief Judge Jeff Lantz during the sentencing.
The Crown also called the joint recommendation of three years "fit and proper."
When given the chance to speak, Arsenault apologized.
"I have every intention of bettering myself in every way possible," he said.
The victim's mother submitted an impact statement that was not read in court, but was summarized by Lantz.
"[The crime] has had a profound effect on both individuals," Lantz said of the victim and her mother.
The court heard the girl is not the same as she was before the abuse. Her trust in men has been "shattered" and she is afraid just living in her community.
Girl commended for exposing Arsenault
Lantz accepted the joint recommendation from Ng and Van Ouwerkerk, noting that Arsenault's betrayal of the victim's trust and the prolonged period of abuse are aggravating, while Arsenault changing his plea and saving the victim from facing him in a trial is to his credit.
"The victim indicated she didn't want this to happen to anyone else," Lantz said. "The victim is commended for her actions in coming out and exposing the accused."
Arsenault was given 375 days of credit for the 250 days he already served in jail, so Lantz sentenced him to two years less a day of jail time for his remaining sentence. That means he can serve his sentence on P.E.I. and stay in the custody of provincial corrections without being transferred to the federal system.
It also means Lantz could set the length and terms of Arsenault's probation after he is released: three years, and he has to stay away from the girl and her mother.
Arsenault will be registered as a sex offender for 20 years, and he'll have to provide a sample of his DNA to a national database.
He'll also have to stay away from places where people under the age of 16 might be expected to gather, such as public parks, swimming areas, schools, playgrounds and community centres.
There are resources and supports available to anyone who has experienced sexual violence:
- Victim Services P.E.I. / Queens and Kings County: 902-368-4582; Prince County: 902-888-8218
- Rise P.E.I. / Phone or text: 902-218-6143
- P.E.I. Rape and Sexual Assault Centre / Call: 902-368-8055 or 1-888-368-8055
- Here is a list of sexual assault centres, crisis lines and support services elsewhere in Canada.
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