Emily Dickinson graduated from St. John Catholic High School in Perth, Ont., in 2008. Referring to her interactions with former teacher Jeff Peters, she said, ‘I just thought I was so mature. You’re not. You’re being manipulated.’ (Submitted by Emily Dickinson – image credit)
Now reflecting on her high school experience, 31-year-old Emily Dickinson realizes she fell victim to a skilled manipulator – her former teacher Jeff Peters, who was recently found guilty of sexual assault in Perth, Ont.
“Our relationship was certainly crossing a million boundaries in terms of messaging outside of school, making comments about me in a kilt, making sexually suggestive comments,” said Dickinson. “I just thought I was so mature. You’re not. You’re being manipulated.”
On April 29, Peters pleaded guilty to charges of sex crimes against two former students. The victims attended St. John Catholic High School in Perth between 2013 and 2016.
CBC has since heard from other women, including Dickinson, who say they were victimized by Peters before that.
Dickinson mentioned she was never physically assaulted by Peters but indicated her former teacher did groom her with inappropriate sexual remarks and messages and even urged her to lie about their interactions.
Dickinson noted that over ten years ago, her mother approached a school administrator seeking action against the behavior and requesting discipline for the teacher.
“There’s just a lot of frustration about knowing how preventable this whole situation was, and also just devastation. How many people were affected over these last 15 years? A lot more than two, I know that for sure,” said Dickinson.
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Former teacher Jeff Peters pleaded guilty in April to the sexual assault of two former students. These are photos of Peters found in high school yearbooks.(St. John Catholic High School)
‘I lied’
Dickinson attended St. John between 2004 and 2008 when Peters taught a popular American history course that often included trips to Washington, D. C., or Boston.
As a teacher, Peters was “engaging, interesting … buddy-buddy,” she recalled.
Dickinson stated the grooming began when she turned 16. They communicated through an online messenger where conversations became “super sexual.”
She recalled he gave her gifts and once remarked to her, “I saw you in your kilt today. If I was a boy your age, you have no idea the things I’d do to you.”
She added that Peters had special connections with other girls as well. In her final year at school, Dickinson mentioned how a parent raised concerns with the principal about Peter’s behavior towards them both.</P
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Peters taught history and religion and also coached sports teams at St. John Catholic High School in Perth , Ont.(Julie Ireton/CBC)</P
Worried abouther sisterAndrea Dickinson reported feeling uneasy about Petersafter Emily graduatedandtheteacher startedshowinginterestinheryounger daughter.“He started stalking[my younger daughter ]inthe hallwayevery dayto askhow Emilywas,” shesaid.“Ijustthought , he’stryingto.. startarelationshipwithmyyounger daughter , whoalsolooksalotlike Emily.”Emilyhadjuststartedat Carleton Universityandwasoncernedforhersisterandtoldhermotheraboutwhat hadhappenedwith Peters. Andrea Dickinson then wentto see thprincipal , whosaid he’dhandleit.“Butliterallynothingwasdone,” sherecalled.Dickensonmentionedthatsherequestedtheschoolnottoplaceheryoungerdaughterinanyof Peters’classes; howeverwhen theschedulecameout, shewasstillassignedtoone. Forotherfamilyreasons, theyoungergirl eventually left St. John.< CBC askedthe Catholic District School Boardof Eastern Ontarioforanintervieworcommentregardingparentshavingapproachedtheprincipalabout Petersyearsago.<Theboardrespondedwithastatementthatreadinpart:"Giventhatthe Boardhasreferredthismattertothe Ontario Collegeof Teachersforreview, itwouldbeinappropriate tomakeanyfurthercommentsatthistime."‘Finally , they’vegotthisguy’![]()
Andrea Dickson says she felt relieved when hearing that Peter had been charged backin2019.”Finally , they’ve got this guy,”she remembered saying.<When Andrea Dichksonlearnedthat Peterhadbeen arrestedandchargedin2019, shefeltaninstantwaveofrelief.”Ohmygod, finallythey’vgotthisguy,” shesaid.<
Between11yearssince Isaidanythingandhisarrest, youcanonlyimaginehowmanygirlswereaffected.”
The newsleft Emiliyfeelingguilty.“Iwish Icould havedonemore,”shesaid,“Eventhoughit’snotmyresponsibility.. atthetimesomethinginsidejustkepttellingmetoprevethis.”
Nowlivingintoronto,
Emmy Dichoskn knowslotspeoplesfrom Perthfeelthesameway.<P CLASS=” MB——7LGMDS—–LEADING —–1 BREAK WORS"""It’sasmallcommunityandeverypersontherehasprobablybeemanipulatedtosomeextent,” shesaid.“Whatmattersmosttomeis showing respectandreparationsforthevictims, becausethat’swhatreallycounts.”
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