RCMP starts hotline in investigation into sexual abuse NS Youth Center
DARTMOUTH, NS — RCMP launched a confidential hotline Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged sexual abuse at the Nova Scotia Youth Center in Waterville.
The investigation, called Operation Headwind, examines multiple allegations of sexual assault, possibly involving hundreds of children at the youth center between 1988 and 2017.
Principal Investigator Sgt. Brian Fitzpatrick said the hotline is a step in getting more survivors to come forward.
“It’s a trauma-informed approach,” Fitpatrick said at a news conference at RCMP headquarters in Dartmouth. “The victims steer the ship … so when they’re ready to come forward, they can do so in the easiest way possible.”
Since the investigation began in early 2019, more than 70 alleged victims have spoken to RCMP.
In February of that year, a class action lawsuit was filed by three men alleging that a swim instructor who worked at the facility sexually assaulted them.
According to the class action, several residents reported the inappropriate behavior, but no action was taken.
Mike Dull, a Valant Legal attorney involved in the lawsuit, said it was “hugely validating” for his clients to see the progress of the investigation.
“This is something that they thought would always be swept under the rug or kept quiet,” Dull said.
“People are more comfortable coming forward now. There’s power in numbers, and I think that’s made all the difference.”
RCMP received reports of juvenile detention misconduct prior to 2019, but say they lacked the evidence needed to launch a full investigation.
Const. Shannon Herbert, one of the detectives, said the time frame of alleged crimes, which spans about 30 years, will affect the length of the investigation.
“Sexual assault investigations are complex and Operation Headwind is no exception,” Herbert said.
Opened in 1988, the Nova Scotia Youth Center serves as a juvenile detention facility, with the goal of effecting behavior change and reintegrating young offenders into society. The facility divides residents by gender; all of the alleged victims who have spoken to RCMP so far have been men.
Fitzpatrick said this is the largest investigation he has been involved in in his 19 years of service.
“It’s the amount of information we have to process and eventually release, the amount of survivors and witnesses we have to send members to places across Canada to complete interviews,” he said. “Its size alone is the challenge.”
The hotline can be reached at 902-720-5313 or toll-free at 1-833-314-3475. The line is guarded Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Calls outside these hours are stored in a confidential voicemail and answered at the next availability.
If survivors wish to remain anonymous, they may contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
RCMP can also be reached by email at [email protected].
RCMP provides victim support and other resources to survivors who contact them.
