Lawyers call for public inquiry into years of alleged abuse in St. John’s trailer park
The lawyer representing six individuals who claim they were sexually abused by Tony Humby is urging for a public inquiry to be conducted. Stephen Barnes is pushing for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) to be thoroughly investigated to determine why previous investigations involving Humby did not result in criminal charges. Recent reports by CBC Investigates, based on unconfirmed search warrant documents, revealed that Humby had been on the police radar since at least 2007 when a 16-year-old accused him of drugging and raping him.
Humby was finally arrested on April 6, 2023, and is facing charges of abusing a total of 11 teenagers. Barnes expressed the need to uncover who knew what and when regarding Humby’s alleged crimes, especially considering the multiple interactions between Humby and law enforcement that did not lead to any arrests until recently. Barnes believes that the answers to these questions cannot be obtained through existing processes such as the ongoing police investigation, criminal proceedings, and the review conducted by the province’s child and youth advocate into the child protection system.
Humby has pleaded not guilty to 33 charges, including sexual assault, sexual interference, and forcible confinement. Additionally, he has not yet entered a plea on 39 more recent charges, including child luring and making child pornography. Another individual, 82-year-old Bruce Escott, is facing 14 charges and has pleaded guilty to one count as part of a deal with the Crown.
Several alleged victims have raised concerns about the handling of prior investigations involving Humby. Search warrant documents from 2007 revealed that a 16-year-old boy had reported being raped by Humby, leading to a detailed statement and the collection of a rape kit. However, Humby refuted the claims during an interview with the police, and no charges were laid. The rape kit was reportedly destroyed without being analyzed, raising questions about the handling of the case.
Barnes highlighted the need for a public inquiry to investigate not only the police’s interactions with Humby but also the child protection system. Lynn Moore, another lawyer, emphasized the failings of the child protection system in Newfoundland and Labrador, citing the removal of prevention activities as a key principle in the legislation introduced in 2010. Moore believes that the current system does not adequately protect vulnerable children and favors removal from homes over preventative measures.
Premier Andrew Furey has tasked the province’s Child and Youth Advocate with conducting a review of policies and procedures within the child protection system. However, Moore argues that this review is insufficient and calls for a public inquiry to examine best practices in child protection across the country. The need for systemic changes to better protect children and prevent abuse is paramount, according to Barnes and Moore.
