Former Lethbridge police officer charged with sexual offences against client 30 years his junior

A retired Lethbridge police officer and former head of a victim's advocacy group has been charged with sexual assault, accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his clients who is a domestic violence survivor.

RCMP have charged Bill Kaye, 63, with sexual assault, breach of trust and criminal harassment for incidents that allegedly took place between December2017 and April 2018.

At the time, Kaye retired from LPSin 2014 after 35 years was program co-ordinator and co-chair of the Domestic Violence Action Team (DVAT) in Lethbridge.

Kaye resigned from DVAT days after his alleged victimreported the relationship to the agency.

• Head of victims' advocacy group resigns after client alleges she felt forced into sexual relationship

Kaye's alleged victim reacts to charges

CBC News first reported on the relationship in February 2021 and has called the woman Emma in order to protect her identity.

On Friday, Emma reacted to the news.

"It's a lot to process," she said from her home in Lethbridge. "There's really no definitive emotion."

"The justice community in Lethbridge is far from supportive or kind;that's what kept me focused on seeing this to the end."

Emma says she was determined "to see the truth be brought forward."

33-year age difference

When Kaye met Emma, she was25 and he was 58 years old.

She previously told CBC News that she felt forced into a sexual relationship with Kaye because he was assigned to her case as a victim's advocate to help her navigate the court system.

Emma was referred to DVAT by the LPSvictims assistance unit as she was navigating the justice system through provincial court, as a victim of domestic violence, and the Court of Queen's Bench, with an ongoing family court matter.

At first, Emma says, Kaye was like a "hero" to her. Then, three months into their advocate/client relationship,Kayebegan pushing boundaries in his text messages, she says.

Explicit text messages

Last year, CBC News reviewed several text messages and emails between Kaye and Emma that appear to confirm a sexual relationship.

In one, Emma says she's lying in bed trying to breathe. She had just mentioned having "wild anxiety."

Kaye responded, "You better be naked. F**k the dishes. Send me pics."

In another text exchange, Kaye appears to acknowledge Emma's reluctance to be physical with him.

"I like letting you rest a while and then starting over. You say no but your body calls for more."

• Lethbridge cop suspended for search of woman's info days after she reported sex assault by retired inspector

Emma first reported the alleged abuse to theLethbridge Police Service (LPS), Kaye's former employer,but said that she wasn't taken seriously and was told she was simply the victim of regret.

She says the officer who took Emma's statementrefused to stop referring to Kaye as "Inspector Kaye."

Two days after CBC News contacted Lethbridge police to inquire about the perceived conflict of investigating a former member, the service announced it wouldhand the case over to the RCMP.

Emma says justice system participants like the officer who interviewed her have failed sexual assault victims.

"I hope that today marks a time when they will begin to reflect on the harm they participated in and perpetuated in this community," she said.

The Mountiessaid Friday the investigation is still under way and asked members of thepublic to come forward if they've experienced"any similar type incidents."