B.C.’s Attorney General Niki Sharma emphasized the importance of informing individuals who might be among the 652 women and girls recorded by a convicted voyeur and child pornography producer in Saanich, B.C. Yin Yeung Derek Chan was found with numerous unauthorized photos and over 28 hours of video taken over six years in various locations. Saanich police managed to reach out to 40 victims before the trial, with more coming forward afterwards.
Despite demands for more transparency, police have chosen not to disclose further details. Sharma acknowledged the police’s autonomy in releasing information but stressed the significance of empowering victims by providing such information.
Executive director of the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, Samantha Loppie, highlighted the importance of transparency from the police and suggested trauma-informed training. She mentioned the direct victims and the broader community affected by privacy breaches and the necessity for more information to ease their concerns.
Saanich police, including deputy chief Damian Kowalewich, opted to reveal the case on the day of Chan’s sentencing to protect the victims from further trauma and maintain the investigation’s integrity. Sharma mentioned ongoing reforms in B.C. to enhance the justice system’s responsiveness, including stricter bail regulations and increased transparency.
Chan, arrested in April 2024 and subsequently re-arrested in January 2025, was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple voyeurism-related charges. Sharma expressed concern that the victims would continue to suffer long after Chan’s sentence.
Laura Vye, executive director of the Victoria Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Centre, revealed that over 60 children or youth, mostly female, were identified in the evidence seized by the police. She emphasized the community’s responsibility to safeguard vulnerable individuals and highlighted available victim support services.
The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre offers emotional and legal support to aid victims in processing the events and exploring their options. Immediate assistance is available through the 24-hour Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888. Saanich police urge potential victims to come forward.
