In a decision that has sent shockwaves through the sporting community, disgraced ice hockey coach Bernie Lynch has been granted full parole for the historic sexual assault of a teenage player. The case has taken a further disturbing turn, with the revelation that Lynch attempted to contact his victim via a Facebook friend request while still incarcerated.
Lynch, a former coach who once worked with the Estevan Bruins in Saskatchewan, Canada, was convicted of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old player in the 1980s. His release, approved by the Parole Board of Canada, is contingent on strict conditions, including a ban on contacting the victim or their family and prohibitions on coaching or working with vulnerable individuals.
A Chilling Message from Behind Bars
The victim, whose life was profoundly altered by the abuse, was confronted with a new form of trauma. From within the walls of the minimum-security prison where he was held, Lynch sent a Facebook friend request to his victim. This brazen act was described by the victim's mother as a deliberate and chilling attempt to "continue the manipulation and control" he exerted decades ago.
"It felt like a continuation of the abuse," the victim stated in the parole documents. "It was a reminder that he was still there, and that he still had a presence in my life, even from prison."
Parole Board's Controversial Decision
Despite this unsettling behaviour, the parole board concluded that Lynch's risk to society was "manageable" under a strict set of conditions. The board noted his participation in psychological counselling and his expressed, though limited, remorse for his actions.
However, the victim's family and advocates have condemned the decision, arguing that the Facebook incident is a clear indicator of an unrepentant and dangerous individual. They fear for the safety of the community and question the message this sends to other survivors of abuse in sports.
The case has ignited a fresh debate about the safeguarding of young athletes and the accountability of sporting institutions that turn a blind eye to predatory behaviour. For the victim, the fight for justice continues, a stark reminder that a prison sentence does not always equate to closure.
