Complainant testifies at trial of former N.W.T. teacher facing sex-related charges

WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it. 

A Yellowknife jury heard this week from one of the complainants in a sexual assault trial of a former N.W.T. teacher.

Neil Barry is facing three charges of sexual assault and three charges of sexual exploitation. Barry worked as a teacher in Tulı́t'a and Fort Simpson, N.W.T., between 2007 and 2017.

The Crown alleges the sexual abuse involved four boys, then aged 16 to 18, whose identities are protected by a court ordered publication ban. The Crown prosecutor says Barry allegedly committed the sexual offences between 2007 and 2011. 

Testifying on Thursday, one of the complainants told the jury that Barry, now 49, sexually assaulted him in Yellowknife in the summer of 2009.

The complainant, who was 18 at the time of the alleged assault, told the court that Barry was his school teacher and basketball coach in Tulita, and that his parents didn't live in the community.

He described how, being away from his hometown, he had a parent-like relationship with Barry, and often talked to Barry about all his problems and concerns.

The man told the court that in late spring or early summer 2009, he and Barry were in Yellowknife for the Arctic Winter Games basketball trials, sharing a hotel room. He said that one evening, they had consumed some alcohol and then went to bed.

He then told the jury that later that night he woke up to Barry performing oral sex on him. He said he was shocked and froze, unable to call for any help. He said he pretended not to notice and gently moved away and over to a couch in the room.

"This is the person I thought cared about me and was there for me," the man told the court.

After the alleged incident, the complainant said that he brushed it aside and tried not to think about it. 

The man also described other sexual incidents that he said made him feel extremely uncomfortable with Barry.

He told the court that he kept it to himself for years, feeling scared and embarrassed. But after having children of his own, he first told his wife about it. He said he later called the RCMP to report a sexual assault.

Barry was officially charged in 2021 and is pleading not guilty to all charges.

During the complainant's cross-examination on Friday, Barry's defence lawyer, Amy Lind, questioned the witness about how he could remember incidents that happened so long ago, and pointed out inconsistencies between his testimony in court, and what he told police about the incident.

Lind said the man had told police that he waited for Barry to pass out that night, and had shouted at Barry after waking up to find him performing oral sex.

Lind also told the court that the Arctic Winter Games basketball tryouts were held from December 4 to 6, 2009, and not in the spring or summer, as the complainant had testified.

The man told the court that his emotions were running high when he was giving the police statement, and that the entire experience was traumatizing. He said the incident affected him and his family a lot, for many years.

The trial continues Monday.

For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.