Sexual assault allegations linked to New Westminster recovery centre

Editor’s Note: The following story deals with sexual assault and may be distressing for some readers. If you or someone you know is in need of support, you can find province-specific centres, crisis lines, and services here.

Alarming allegations from dozens of people are surfacing in an anonymous Facebook group taking aim at a contractor connected to a pair of recovery facilities in New Westminster.

Some people in the private social media group say the behaviour goes back more than a decade. It was predatory and includes sexual assault and harassment, often targeting women who were trying to get clean or who had relapsed and were desperately seeking help and support.

Others say they voiced their concerns previously but were dismissed by officials.

CityNews is not naming the contractor because he has not been charged.

 

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The allegations posted online involve his time at Westminster House, which treats women.

Despite repeated attempts, Westminster House hasn’t responded to CityNews’ requests for comment. However, a post in the group, appearing to come from the centre’s former executive director reads, “I am ashamed to say, I myself was complicit, turning a blind eye (in the name of gossip) hiding behind my own arrogance that I had an organization to run and protect.

“I convinced myself that took priority over the ugly truth, not to mention trusting the opinion of my senior staff when I instinctively knew I shouldn’t. That decision is completely on me and one I deeply regret,” the post reads.

CityNews reached out to this person for further comment but has not been able to confirm the authenticity of that post.

The contractor also worked at Last Door — a men’s treatment facility in New Westminster.

Last Door says it’s aware of the allegations against “a former independent contractor.”

“We are not aware of any clients of the Last Door Recovery Society who are connected with these allegations, but public safety is paramount, and we urge anyone with information about this matter to contact the police,” the recovery centre said.

The New Westminster Police Department confirms it has launched an investigation, adding it’s still in the early stages.

The contractor was a fitness trainer, and the BC Recreation of Parks Association (BCRPA) says its protocol for handling “any allegations of a criminal nature,” is to direct people to police.

However, a statement from the BCRPA, which was shared anonymously with CityNews, confirms the organization has started an internal investigation.

“As per our policy during such investigations, fitness registration with BCRPA is suspended immediately until our investigation is complete. We have contacted the New Westminster Police Department and have been advised that all complaints of this nature should be directed to their offices,” reads part of its statement.

Meanwhile, some members within this private group are also sharing a list of what’s being described, as “calls to action.” They say they want to recognize the work the recovery centres do, while also holding both accountable to the community.

“Many victims have felt unheard over the last decade and we hope this will be the catalyst to fostering change within the community. We’re asking for meaningful action and complete transparency about the steps the Last Door and Westminster House are actively taking to ensure these tragedies never happen again,” reads the letter.

Among those actions are publicly acknowledging the years of abuse, hiring an external human resources firm to audit Last Door and Westminster House’s policies, and including mandatory sexual violence awareness and prevention training for all staff members.

If you have more information on this case or would like to speak about your experience, please reach out to CityNews Reporter Sonia Aslam.

–With files from Greg Bowman