Former Edmonton track coach found guilty of historic sexual offences against teen athletes

A former track coach in Edmonton has been found guilty of historical sexual offences against three teenage boys he mentored and trained in the 1970s. Thomas Kenneth Porter, known as Ken Porter, was found to have sexually touched the teens under the guise of athletic massages for his own gratification.

The judge found that Porter sexually touched two of the teenagers in separate incidents at his apartment. One of the incidents involved inviting boys over for dinner, showing them pornography, and then offering them “rubdowns” as part of track-side massages. The victims, who were 15 to 17 years old at the time, testified that the massages progressed from rubbing their legs to touching their buttocks, genitals, and anus.

Porter was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault and three counts of gross indecency for his actions. The judge described Porter’s conduct as exploitation and perversion of contact by a trusted adult, causing discomfort, confusion, and revulsion among the victims.

The complainants, who were initially protected by a publication ban, came forward to share their experiences with Porter. Chris Dallin, one of the victims, lifted the ban on his name and was the first to report his experiences to the police in 2007. Dallin expressed the importance of speaking out and sharing his story to prevent Porter from being near young boys or men in the future.

Inappropriate contact during massages was a common theme in the victims’ testimonies. Porter was found guilty of gross indecency and indecent assault for incidents where he touched the teenagers inappropriately during massages. While some victims initially felt excited by the physical attention, they later felt repulsed and struggled with the trauma in their adult lives.

Porter’s case came to light after reports of sexual misconduct prompted an independent investigation by Athletics Canada. Porter was subsequently fired from his position and issued a lifetime ban. The victims’ testimonies during the trial led to questions about the influence of shared memories, resulting in some charges being dropped due to reasonable doubt.

Despite the acquittals on some charges, the judge found that Porter’s behavior was inappropriate and that he had abused his position of trust as a coach. Victims like Chris Dallin emphasized the importance of speaking out and seeking help to overcome the trauma of sexual abuse. Resources are available for those who have experienced sexual violence, including crisis lines and local services.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding abusers accountable and supporting survivors of sexual violence. It highlights the long-lasting impact of abuse and the need for victims to seek help and share their stories to heal and prevent future harm.