Women speak out about alleged sexual assaults involving N.S. man

A Nova Scotia woman who says she was sexually assaulted by a man in Chester Basin, N.S., is speaking out about the historical sexual assault charges against Corey Fitzgerald White.

Last month, RCMP announced charges against White, 55, that date back almost 22 years to when the alleged victim was a child.

At the time the charges were laid, the Mounties said they believed there could be other victims, not only in Nova Scotia but also in Newfoundland, Ontario and Alberta.

The woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, said she first came forward five years ago but didn’t follow through on her complaint at the time. But she said that earlier this year she felt ready to talk.

“The environment in which I grew up as a child led me to feel like I didn't have a safe space to come forward, so it wasn't until I was an adult and felt like I was in a safe, secure place that I could come forward,” the woman said in an interview with CBC this week.

“And he was in my life my whole childhood so that is another element that makes it hard to be able to cope with things when you are a child. You suppress them and just get through every day, I guess.”

The woman said her decision to revive her complaint was partly fuelled by anger.

“When I came forward originally to everyone, including his wife and his children, no one believed me … I was just really angry at those people. I was also angry at myself because why didn't I do more? I could have done more to stop this. Like I almost felt a little bit responsible that he was able to do that to another young person, so ever since then it's just been like one day at a time.”

The woman was referring to a case in which RCMP in Newfoundland have laid charges against White. He is facing two counts of sexual assault there in relation to an alleged incident involving two 16-year-old girls in July of this year.

The mother of one of those teens is speaking out.

“I had made the comment that, many, many times that he messed with the wrong daughter and I will turn this world upside down to make sure that she has justice,” the mother said. 

Like the Nova Scotia woman, this mother and her daughter have their identities protected by a publication ban.

The mother said her daughter spoke to family members immediately after the alleged assault and she was believed and supported. She said the family is coping.

“It has turned our world upside down and she is a victim but it’s an all-around change, myself, my spouse, my children,” the mother said. “We all had to kind of navigate this with so many different things, not only her work life, her school life. Also, being a mom and it’s a mother’s worst nightmare.”