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
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.