Officials with the Canadian Armed Forces announced Tuesday that a member was facing multiple sex-related offences.

The Canadian Armed Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) has laid ten charges against Lieutenant-Colonel Mason Stalker, 40.

Charges include: three counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual exploitation, and one count each of sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and breach of trust by a public officer.

The charges came following an investigation into a series of historical incidents involving offences that allegedly took place between 1998 and 2007 in Edmonton, while Stalker was a mentor with local army cadet corps.

Officials said they’re aware of one victim, who was an underage male when most of the assaults occurred, the victim is no longer underage – and officials said it’s alleged the incidents continued for a few months while he was an adult.

The victim made a complaint and the investigation was launched on April 27, 2015 – wrapping up Tuesday with the charges.

Experts said coming forward can be very difficult for victims of sexual assault.

“The young person often doesn’t know how to get out of it because they’re afraid of that person and the influence they have on the rest of their life,” Karen Smith with the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton said.

Later Tuesday, General Jonathan Vance issued a statement in response to the charges. Vance said he had been made aware of the charges, and called them “serious” but said he couldn’t comment.

“I cannot comment on this specific case, given all Canadians should be afforded due process. We must allow the judicial process to unfold.”

Vance confirmed Stalker had been suspended from his command post.

Stalker was a Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton.

The case is considered to be too serious for the military system and will be handled in the civilian criminal court system.

Investigators have asked anyone with knowledge that could assist in the investigation to call CFNIS Western Region tip line at 1-877-233-6066.

With files from Brenna Rose and Mercedes Stephenson