New West sex assault charges laid against former recovery services contractor

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.

Editor’s note: Last Door is adamant that it “is not aware of any clients of The Last Door Recovery Society who are connected with these allegations,” per a statement issued earlier this week. “Earlier this year, The Last Door Recovery Society terminated the services–without notice and without proven cause—within 24 hours of being made aware through social media of the serious allegations against an independent contractor. We also terminated any access the individual had to our facilities. We did not receive any information directly from the complainants and were acting upon allegations made on social media.” You can read more of the statement below.

A former recovery services contractor has been charged in connection with a sexual assault investigation in New Westminster.

Police say Adam Haber was arrested and charged Tuesday after an investigation was launched earlier this year “connected to an individual employed by an organization offering substance use recovery services.”

Haber is charged with three counts of sexual assault for offences alleged to have happened a decade ago. Police say the 50-year-old man has been released on conditions, including not having contact with any potential victims and not attending certain locations.

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• Arrest made in New Westminster sexual assault investigation: sources

• Sexual assault allegations linked to New Westminster recovery centre

In January, an anonymous Facebook group was started by people who outlined allegations against a contractor who had connections to the two facilities in New Westminster.

Posts in the group suggested predatory behaviour from the individual, who was accused of targeting people who were recovering from drug addiction.

Police say 11 alleged victims have come forward, adding they “gained the courage to come forward after sharing their experiences and connecting with one another on social media.” It’s believed there are additional people who have not shared their stories.

“Obviously this is a lengthy investigation,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “It’s widely known that sexual assault is underreported. It’s an offence that’s difficult to talk about, which is why we’re trying to remove those barriers for victims and survivors to come speak with us, even though it has been a significant amount of time that’s passed since maybe some of the allegations were made.”

Whistleblower encourages others to come forward

Sarah Burfoot, who describes herself as a whistleblower and who says she knows Haber through the recovery community, says she raised concerns because she wants to show victims support.

“I spoke up about it because I was tired of people in power protecting somebody who has done harm to our community,” Burfoot told reporters outside the New Westminster courthouse Wednesday.

“People who sexually assault other people belong in that box,” she said of the courtroom.

Burfoot is also encouraging people to come forward with information, saying there’s “a huge community of support and love” ready to help.

“It’s time that we start holding people accountable for sexual assault crimes. It can be scary but there’s a whole group of people here ready to support you if you decide to come forward. It’s time that the people who’ve been victimized receive justice,” she said.

Haber was a contractor employed by Westminster House and the Last Door Recovery Society. His position, Leaver says, “put him in direct contact with people that were in a vulnerable stage in their lives.”

The man was also a fitness instructor and a property manager in the city.

Recovery centre says contractor was terminated ‘within 24 hours’ of allegations

In a statement Wednesday, Last Door says, earlier this year, it “terminated the services–without notice and without proven cause—within 24 hours” of being made aware of the allegations posted on social media.

“We also terminated any access the individual had to our facilities. We did not receive any information directly from the complainants and were acting upon allegations made on social media,” the statement continues.

“Our executive management team also took prompt action to report the information from the social media posts as well as the related contact information to the Police. Public safety is paramount. We are not aware of any clients of The Last Door Recovery Society who are connected with these allegations.”

Last Door says “it is paramount that we remain transparent, so our clients and community perceive The Last Door Recovery Society to be a safe place.”

It adds it was notified by police of the charges Wednesday.

“Our hearts go out to the individuals sharing their stories and urge anyone with information about this matter to contact the Police. The charges do not concern any wrongdoing against our clients, and in no way involved our services or facilities. The New Westminster Police have affirmed that the individual is the subject of the investigation, and that Last Door Recovery Society is not under any investigation,” the statement concludes.

CityNews has reached out to Westminster House for comment.

-With files from Sonia Aslam and Kier Junos