Over 12 abuse victims of a deceased former Saint John police officer have come forward since the City of Saint John announced the hiring of a Toronto investigation firm back in August.
Ken Estabrooks was convicted of sexuallly abusing children in the 90’s and died in 2005.
Dave Perry tells CHSJ News some of the victims knew each other 40 years ago and know each other now.
He says they are finding the victims are from an area of the City where they lived very close and they all grew up together and took care of each other.
Investigator Laura Bradbury tells CHSJ News the people they are speaking to say the abuse is on the surface of their lives everyday.
She says the emotions are raw and hidden and pervasive in the behaviours they use to mask the feelings such as turning to drugs and alcohol and getting into trouble with the law.
Dave Perry says they are hearing from women who are victims of Estabrooks as well adding many of the victims are taking advantage of the counselling provided by the City and they expect more victims to come forward.
City council approved $100,000 for the investigators to look into the abuse allegations against Estabrooks. When and if that money runs out, the firm would have to come back to council for additional funding.
