Manitoba

No charges for former RWB teacher accused of sexual assault, child exploitation

Charges will not be laid against a former Royal Winnipeg Ballet teacher who is accused of sexual assault by a former student, a spokesperson for Manitoba Justice says.

Former teacher being sued by old student who says he took sexualized photos of her

A former student has filed a lawsuit against the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Bruce Monk alleging the former teacher and photographer sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. (Wally Santana/Associated Press) (Wally Santana/Associated Press)

Charges will not be laid against a former Royal Winnipeg Ballet teacher who is accused of sexual assault by a former student, a spokesperson for Manitoba Justice says.

A 35-year-old woman who was once a student at the school is suing former dance instructor and photographer Bruce Monk. She accused Monk of sexual assault, child exploitation and human trafficking, among other offences she says took place in the 1990s.

In a statement of claim filed in the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench on Nov. 22, the woman said Monk took sexualized photos of her when she was 16 and told her he could sell them for "a lot of money."

Monk was let go in April 2015 after RWB officials learned he was under investigation by police over allegations he took photos of students at various stages of undress.

The Manitoba Justice spokesperson said the Crown reviewed the case and recommended against charges because a conviction was unlikely.

The complainants have been notified, she said, and supports were offered through the province's victims services branch.