Female hockey coach charged with sexually assaulting teen girl player

WARNING: This article contains details of abuse.

A 28-year-old hockey coach has been charged with over 15 offences, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation and luring, in connection with a player she once coached, Winnipeg police say.

Investigators first received a tip last month about a "sexually exploitative relationship" between Madison Biluk and a teenage player from 2019-21.

"There's all different reasons that survivors come forward. I can't speak on the reasons why this young lady came forward, but it's harrowing and very brave," Winnipeg police Const. Dani McKinnon said.

"Sport is supposed to be safe, so it's difficult for the entire community."

Biluk was also charged with:

• Sexual interference.
• Invitation to sexual touching.
• Luring a person under 16.
• Two counts of luring a person under 18.
• Two counts of transmitting, making available, distributing or selling sexually explicit material to a person under 16.
• Two counts of transmitting, making available, distributing or selling sexually explicit material to a person under 18.
• Making, printing, selling or possessing for the purpose of publishing child pornography.
• Importing, distributing, selling or possessing for the purpose of distributing or selling child pornography.
• Possessing child pornography.
• Assault with a weapon.
• Assault.

Biluk coached with Hockey Manitoba from 2018-23 and is accused of "grooming and gaining the trust of the survivor," who was a teenager, while she was a coach in her 20s, McKinnon said.

The abuse occurred over about two years, McKinnon said. It started when the girl was younger than 16 but continued after Biluk was no longer the teen's coach, police allege.

McKinnon said the survivor came forward after an initial report from someone else "within the hockey organization."

"I hope, personally, that the survivor in this can move forward in a healthier, peaceful direction," McKinnon said.

"She is a phenomenal person. This is a very brave action."

McKinnon would not say which teams Biluk worked for.

Biluk, who is no longer coaching, was released by police with conditions.

The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sex crimes unit at 204-986-6350.

Support is available through Winnipeg Police Service victim services at 204-986-6350 and the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631.