RCMP investigates sexual abuse in NS juvenile detention center spanning three decades

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating decades of sexual abuse that allegedly took place at a juvenile detention center in Nova Scotia, involving at least 70 victims who were juveniles at the time.

RCMP Corporal Chris Marshall told The Epoch Times on July 13 that this investigation, dubbed Operation Headwind, has been going on for four and a half years, but was first made public on July 12. It is not known how long the investigation will continue.

“Our investigators continue to diligently collect information and evidence. We expect the investigation to take some time, but a timeline for how long would be a disservice to those survivors who had the courage to come forward,” said Corp. Marshal.

The RCMP said they have so far taken statements from more than 70 alleged victims as part of the investigation. The survivors, all men, have come ahead alleged that they were sexually assaulted between 1998 and 2017 at the government-owned Nova Scotia Youth Center in Waterville, Nova Scotia, commonly referred to as “Waterville”.

“We can report that the investigation is progressing and our research team is pleased with the progress they are making,” said Corp. Marshal. The officer also said the investigation was launched as a result of a complaint made directly to the RCMP.

“Researchers believe there are more survivors and people in the community who have additional information about this research and are encouraging them to come forward,” said a July 12 press release from the RCMP.

Officers expect about 200 people to come forward. Eleven detectives have been working on the case since 2019.

Mass investigation

Sergeant Brian Fitzpatrick, a veteran sex crimes investigator and the chief investigator of Operation Headwind, said at a press conference at RCMP headquarters on July 12 that this is the largest investigation he has ever been involved in in his 19 years of law enforcement service.

RCMP has opened a confidential toll-free hotline for victims or those who may have information about the case. Officers have not released any information about the alleged suspect or suspects in the case, or whether multiple perpetrators are involved.

“We are ready to listen to their story. If they’re not ready to come forward, we’ll be there when they’re ready,” said Sgt. Fitzpatrick.

Inspector Don Moser, from RCMP Assistant Support Services, also spoke at the press conference.

“After investigators identified more than 30 survivors and recognized there could be hundreds more, the Nova Scotia RCMP assembled a larger dedicated investigation team,” said Insp. Moser.

He said the case is challenging because of its “massive scope, the amount of information we need to process and ultimately release, and the number of surviving witnesses we have to deploy investigators to interview across Canada.”

Constable Shannon Herbert, one of the researchers, said the RCMP is focused on the welfare of survivors.

“We take that very seriously and ultimately want to make sure they get the support they need,” the officer said.

Attorney Mike Dull, at Nova Scotia law firm Valent Legal, archived a 2021 class action lawsuit against the county’s Justice Department alleging that his clients were juveniles at the detention center for 29 years and allegedly subjected to unwanted inappropriate touching and in some cases assault, causing long-term damage to many .

“They have had a difficult life as adults; the vast majority have been in and out of prison,” Mr. Dull said.

The lawyer said his first client came forward in 2017 with allegations that he had been sexually assaulted as a young person in prison. Mr Dull said he has since been inundated with other calls, and the same situation has reportedly happened “to dozens and dozens of young boys over three decades.”

The county said it was cooperating with police regarding the very “disturbing” allegations and was taking the matter “very seriously”.

“The person referenced in the class action lawsuit is no longer an employee of the county. As that case is pending in court, we are unable to comment further at this time,” said Deborah Bayer, a Justice Department spokesperson.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.