Promise of healing became sexual abuse in homes linked to teen facility, girls allege
Author(s): Ashleigh Stewart & Krista Hessey
Publication Date: August 18, 2025
Publication Name: Global News
Facility/Company Named: Venture Academy (with locations in Kelowna, B.C.; near Red Deer, Alta.; and near Barrie, Ont.)
Associated Individuals: Gordon Hay (founder)
A Global News investigation details allegations of sexual abuse against the Canadian teen treatment company Venture Academy. Multiple former attendees allege they were sexually abused by male “host parents” contracted by the facility to provide housing. The report covers civil lawsuits filed by survivors and the criminal conviction of one former host parent, while also citing official concerns about the company’s oversight of its residential program.
Primary Lawsuit (Alison’s Case)
Parties: Plaintiff “Alison” vs. Defendants including her former male host parent, his wife, and Venture Academy.
Filed: January 2025
Allegations: That the host parent sexually abused Alison and that Venture Academy knew or should have known about the abuse and concealed it.
Additional Lawsuit (Kelowna, 2016)
Parties: A 15-year-old former resident vs. Venture Academy and host parents.
Allegations: Repeated sexual assault by a host father in 2010. The case was dismissed in 2022.
Additional Lawsuit (Barrie, 2014)
Parties: A Toronto couple vs. Venture Academy’s Ontario branch.
Allegations: Sexual assault of their 14-year-old daughter by a host parent in 2011. The case was reportedly settled.
Criminal Case Details
Staff Member: A former host parent from the Kelowna program (unnamed in article).
Charges: Initially faced six charges (sexual exploitation, sexual assault) related to two youths.
Outcome: Convicted on one count of sexual touching. Sentenced to 28 months in prison and released in October 2024. The other charges were stayed.