An Ottawa resident who exploited boys under his care through teaching and youth justice roles has been sentenced to 13.5 years in prison for his egregious crimes, according to a recent court ruling. Kevan Henshaw, 33, admitted guilt to 22 charges involving sexual offenses against minors, such as sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, creating and possessing child sexual abuse material. These offenses spanned two years, with Henshaw facing over 70 charges initially.
The sentencing, delivered by Ontario Court Justice Trevor Brown on August 25 following a hearing in May, featured heartbreaking victim impact testimonies from over 30 individuals, whose identities remain protected by a publication ban. These statements mainly came from parents and guardians of the boys Henshaw encountered during his work as an educational assistant and through social media interactions.
The prosecution sought an 18-year sentence, while the defense argued for a lesser term of nine years. The victims can be categorized into four groups:
1. Boys associated with high schools where Henshaw worked as an educational assistant, engaging in activities that made them uncomfortable.
2. Numerous boys contacted through social media where Henshaw posed as a teenage girl, soliciting explicit content.
3. Boys at the William E. Hay Juvenile Detention Centre, covertly recorded during strip searches.
4. Unidentified children depicted in abusive material collected by Henshaw, including self-recorded videos of young boys in compromising situations.
During the impact statements, parents highlighted significant changes in their sons’ behaviors, with some citing past experiences of abuse. Concerns were raised about systemic failures in protecting vulnerable youths from predators like Henshaw, as mentioned in a statement read by the assistant Crown prosecutor.
One victim, a former detainee at William E. Hay, expressed fear and anger over the violation he endured, underscoring the lasting trauma inflicted by Henshaw’s actions. Justice Brown acknowledged the long-term impact on the victims’ emotional well-being and criticized institutional oversights in safeguarding children.
In a letter to the court, Henshaw expressed remorse, pledging to undergo rehabilitation and combat child exploitation. Despite the severity of his crimes, his lawyer emphasized his cooperation with authorities and commitment to reform. Henshaw will serve a reduced sentence due to time already spent in custody, with lifelong restrictions upon release to protect potential victims.
