SURREY RCMP are appealing to potential victims to come forward and speak to police following the approval of charges in a series of sexual assaults.

On May 17, Surrey RCMP received several allegations of sexual assault, sexual touching, and threats.  The accusations, spanning a two-year period between 2015 and 2017, involve a pastor from the Cloverdale Christian Fellowship Church and his wife.

On May 18, investigators from Surrey RCMP Special Victims Unit arrested two individuals. Both suspects were not known to police and were later released on strict conditions.

Samuel Emerson, 34, of Surrey, has now been charged with 13 counts of sexual assault; 11 counts of being in a position of authority and touching a person for a sexual purpose; one count of sexual touching of a person under the age of 16.

Madelaine Emerson, 37, of Surrey, has been charged with one count of sexual assault; one count of being in a position of authority and touching a person for a sexual purpose; one count of threats to cause death or bodily harm.

The investigation is still ongoing and officers believe there is potential that there are victims that have not come forward to police.

“Calling the police to report a sexual assault is a very difficult thing to do especially when the suspect is someone you knew and trusted, and can leave lifelong emotional scars,” said Cpl. Scotty Schumann. “Our highly skilled investigators take sexual assaults very seriously, and, supported by our Surrey RCMP Victim Services workers, are here to listen and provide emotional support.”

For more information about Surrey RCMP Victim Services, click here.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.

If they wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.