Nova ScotiaDonald Douglas Williams, 75, faces 66 charges related to alleged sex crimes that occurred during his time at the Nova Scotia Youth Centre in Waterville.Donald Douglas Williams faces 66 charges after years-long RCMP investigationGareth Hampshire · CBC News · Posted: Sep 23, 2025 5:36 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoFormer swim instructor arraigned on charges of sexual abuseDonald Douglas Williams faces 66 historical sex-related charges. He was a former swim instructor at a Nova Scotia youth correctional facility. Gareth Hampshire has the story.A former swim instructor at a Nova Scotia youth correctional facility appeared in provincial court Tuesday, where he was arraigned on dozens of sex-related charges.Donald Douglas Williams, 75, faces 66 charges related to incidents alleged to have taken place during his time at the Nova Scotia Youth Centre in Waterville.Williams spoke during the brief hearing in Kentville to explain he has not yet retained a lawyer but has applied to Nova Scotia Legal Aid.A legal aid representative confirmed his application has been received.The case is in court after a years-long investigation that continues under a dedicated unit of the RCMP.30 complainants moving forwardSpeaking outside court, Crown attorney Rob Kennedy said more than 100 complainants who spent time at the youth jail provided statements to police. Of those, 30 have decided to continue through the courts. “This investigation has been ongoing for six years. And some complainants have lost their desire to go forward,” Kennedy said.Crown attorney Rob Kennedy said the case is of a magnitude rarely seen in Nova Scotia and has already generated more than a million pages of documents. (Craig Paisley/CBC)The charges against Williams include three counts of sexual assault causing bodily harm, 28 charges of sexual assault, 32 charges of sexual exploitation, and charges of sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and assault. The allegations date between 1989 and 2015 and are part of what is now one of the largest sexual abuse investigations in the province’s history, Kennedy said.Over a million pages of documentsPolice have gathered and reviewed a huge number of documents in bringing the case to this point. “We’re talking in excess of one million pages of documents, we’re talking medical records, personnel records for the youth when they were in the institution, statements — not just statements from the complaints, but statements from dozens of other witnesses, staff at the jail,” Kennedy said.Some of the documents from the late 1980s and early 1990s were handwritten notes he said that needed to be digitized.The complainants — 29 males and one female — were between the ages of 12 and 18 when they were being held at the centre.The Crown is planning to meet with complainants over the next few months, Kennedy said, to answer their questions and talk about next steps in the case.Further charges are not being ruled out as the investigation continues.Williams is due back in court on Oct. 21.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. AT.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.A list of mental health supports is available from the province of Nova Scotia. ABOUT THE AUTHORGareth Hampshire began his career with CBC News in 1998. He has worked as a reporter in Edmonton and is now based in Halifax.
Ex-swim instructor at N.S. youth corrections centre appears in court on sex-related charges
