The Nova Scotia RCMP held a press conference updating media on the ongoing investigation today at Dartmouth Headquarters, that has been focused on youths who have been sexually assaulted while residing at the Nova Scotia Youth Centre in Waterville.
Youths who were incarcerated at the Waterville Youth Centre between the years of 1989 and 2015 have further come forward, police believe there are more victims.
To date the investigation has resulted in a Dartmouth man being charged with 66 offences from 30 victims, more charges are anticipated as the investigation continues.
The RCMP’s investigation, named Operation Headwind, has involved interviewing over 450 survivors and witnesses across Canada, reviewing more than 9,800 documents seized during searches, and completing over 1,200 investigation-related tasks.
“Sexual assault is a devastating crime with traumatic, long-lasting effects on survivors,” says Cst. Shari Pictou, primary investigator, Operation Headwind. “It takes courage for survivors, particularly youth, and even more so for those who are vulnerable, to come forward and speak with us about what they endured. Because of the courage and patience of those who’ve come forward, who were all youth at the time of the offences, we’re now able to lay charges.”
On September 13, 75-year-old Donald Douglas Williams, who was the Nova Scotia Youth Centre’s swim instructor between 1988 and 2017, was safely arrested at his home.
He’s facing the following charges:
* Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm (3 counts)
* Sexual Assault (28 counts)
* Sexual Exploitation (32 counts)
* Sexual Interference
* Invitation to Sexual Touching
* Assault
The youths involved were residing at the Waterville Facility and all victims they had come forward to date have been males besides one female and aged between 12-18 when the offences took place.
There is no indication that the community has been impacted as the youth centre swimming pool has been open to the public during the time of the offences, but police are still investigating.
Williams has been released by the courts on conditions. He’s scheduled to appear in Kentville Provincial Court on September 26.
Additional charges are expected against Williams, and the investigation remains ongoing.
“We believe there are more survivors and people in the community who know about the abuse that occurred at the youth centre,” says S/Sgt. Rob McCamon, Officer in Charge (acting), Major Crime and Behavioural Sciences. “If you, or someone you know, experienced sexual assault while at the Nova Scotia Youth Centre, it’s not too late to report what happened.”
Investigators are continuing to ask any survivor with whom they’ve not yet spoken, as well as anyone else with information, to call the confidential Operation Headwind tipline at 902-720-5313 or toll-free at 1-833-314-3475. The line is monitored Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Outside of these hours, a confidential voicemail is available. Investigators can also be reached by email at headwind@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.
File #: 2019-91777
