Yellowknife RCMP General Investigations Section (GIS) have laid charges of sexual assault and exploitation in a historical investigation.
Yellowknife GIS has been working with RCMP in Alberta in what is believed to be a cross-jurisdictional investigation. Alberta RCMP received information on a historical sexual assault and opened the investigation. As the occurrence had taken place within Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife GIS took the lead in the investigation. The incident is believed to have occurred in the summer of 2009 at tryouts for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games.
The accused worked the Northwest Territories between 2007 and 2017. He worked in the communities of Tulita and Fort Simpson and travelled to Yellowknife and potentially other communities in the NT.
The accused moved to High Prairie, AB in 2017. The accused has history with the High Prairie School District No. 48. High Prairie RCMP are aware of the investigation.
On Tuesday, June 15, Western Alberta RCMP General Investigation Section arrested and charged Neil Barry in High Prairie, with 2 counts each of Sexual Assault s.271 and Sexual Exploitation s.153.1(a) under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The accused will appear in Territorial Court on August 10, 2021.
As with any investigation of this nature, the RCMP are sensitive to how difficult it can be for a victim to report an abuser, whether it is immediately after an offence occurred or a length of time has passed.
If you, or someone you know, have any information related to these offences or potentially others, please report it to your local RCMP.
For Yellowknife, please call Yellowknife RCMP at 669-1111 and ask for the General Investigations Section. If you wish to remain anonymous: Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or text "nwtnutips" plus your message to 274637.