Recovery society denies previous knowledge of sexual allegations against contractor
50-year-old Adam Haber worked with people recovering from addiction, and New Westminster police say he exploited that position to sexually assault vulnerable victims.
Some of those alleged victims connected with each other through a Facebook group called 'Stop Adam H'.
"A number of victims and survivors got together and shared their stories with each other, gathered their strength and then made their reports to police," said NWPD Sgt. Andrew Leaver.
Haber faces three sex assault charges and made his first court appearance on Wednesday, where a provincial court judge agreed to his release with conditions.
According to police, 11 potential victims have come forward so far and more charges could be added.
Until recently, Haber worked at the Last Door Recovery Society.
The society declined to make anyone available for an interview but did provide CTV News with a statement.
"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 registered fitness contractor," the statement said.
Multiple people within the addiction recovery community have told CTV News staff at the Last Door Society were made aware of the serious allegations against Haber on numerous occasions prior to this year but the society continued to employ him.
"From supporting survivors, we know the trauma of a sexual assault can throw someone back into their addiction," said Samantha Grey of the Surrey Women's Centre.
Some accusers in the Facebook group say they first met Haber through Westminster House, an addiction recovery centre for women and girls.
Reached by telephone Thursday, staff at the centre said Haber has never worked there.
CTV News has seen screenshots of Facebook posts from a private group that show Westminster House staff frequently referred people in recovery looking for housing to Haber because of his other job as a property manager.
"I think what this case highlights is not only the way that men use their positions in society to exploit women -- but it also speaks to the resiliency of survivors," said Grey.
New Westminster police believe there may be more victims and are urging them to contact investigators.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.