Addictions recovery worker accused of multiple sex assaults: New Westminster police
For years, rumours have swirled in the addiction recovery community about an employee preying on vulnerable people in narcotics anonymous programs in New Westminster -- and on Tuesday, police made an arrest.
Fifty-year-old Adam Haber faces three counts of sexual assault involving three different victims and dating back as far as 2012.
"Mr. Haber's employment put him in direct contact with people who were in a vulnerable stage in their lives," said Sgt. Andrew Leaver of the New Westminster Police Department. "That definitely gives him access to numerous victims that are going through recovery."
According to Leaver, 11 alleged victims have spoken with police in an ongoing investigation that could lead to more charges.
Police say many of the alleged victims found each other through a Facebook group called 'Stop Adam H' which was set up by people concerned by his behaviour.
Sarah Burfoot also works in addiction recovery and tells CTV News she has been trying to sound the alarm about Haber for years.
"It's important to me because I want to support anyone who has been affected by the behaviours of Adam Haber and hold people who do harm accountable," she said outside the courthouse in New Westminster.
Haber made his first appearance Wednesday and a provincial court judge released him on bail with several conditions, including that he not have any contact with his alleged victims.
Haber also worked as a personal trainer and a property manager.
Police believe there may be more victims who have not yet spoken to investigators and they encourage those people to reach out.
"Our investigators are trained in trauma-informed practice," said Leaver. "And our victim assistance unit is here to support survivors through this process."
Burfoot said she and others are also prepared to help anyone who may wish to come forward.
"It's a very empowering process. It's also very validating to finally be heard, to be taken seriously and to be believed," Burfoot said.
Outside court, Haber's lawyer declined to comment on the charges.
Anyone with information about this case or who has been the victim of a sexual assault is asked to call the New Westminster Police Department's Major Crime Unit Tip Line at 604-529-2430 or send an email to mcucrimetips@nwpolice.org.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.