Two Ottawa teachers face disciplinary hearing over sex assault in Boston

TORONTO - Two Ottawa private school teachers are defending themselves against allegations they refused to report a sexual assault on a class trip to police.

Alyssa Novick and Ian Middleton, teachers at Ashbury College, are in Toronto today for a disciplinary hearing at the Ontario College of Teachers.

If a three-member discipline panel finds them guilty of misconduct the teachers could lose their certifications.

A 16-year-old student told teachers he was sexually assaulted by a group of other boys in a hotel room during a trip to Boston in 2007.

The college alleges the teachers refused a request from the boy's parents to report the assault to police.

Novick is testifying today and she says she took direction from the school's headmaster, who contacted police.

The main perpetrator of the assault pleaded guilty in Boston to assault and battery and was sentenced to four years probation.