Former GTA Girl Guide leader charged with sexual assault dating back to 1998

A former Girl Guides of Canada leader in the Greater Toronto Area has been charged with sexual assault dating back to 1998, York Region police said. 

Officers began investigating in March after a victim reported sexual abuse by their Pathfinder leader, police said in a news release Monday. Pathfinder is a unit for girls aged between 12 to 14, according to the Girl Guides website. 

The victim said the abuse happened between January 1998 and September 2002, according to the news release. Police said the victim was under 16 years old at the time. 

Karen Spence, a 64-year-old woman from Georgina, Ont., has been charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual exploitation of a young person. 

She worked as a Girl Guide leader in the Georgina area from 1995 to 2001, according to the news release. Police say the accused also worked as Sparks leader, which is a unit within Girl Guides for children aged between five to six, according to the organization's website. 

Girl Guides of Canada cooperating with police: statement

Girl Guides of Canada said the allegations are "extremely upsetting" in a statement Monday. 

"These allegations are not representative of the comprehensive safety policies in place within our organization, or the emotional and physical safety upheld daily by our members, volunteers and staff," the statement says. 

Spence was a volunteer in the Keswick, Ont., area from 1995 to 2001, the organization said. 

Girl Guides of Canada is cooperating with the York police in their investigation, the statement says. 

York police said Spence also served as a youth hockey coach and referee. 

Investigators believe there may be more victims. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact York police or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers. 

If someone is not ready to report but is seeking support, they are advised to contact York Region Victim Services, the Cedar Centre or the Women's Support Network.