A man faces charges of sexual assault following an incident at a Winnipeg hospital parkade where a nurse was attacked, according to the Winnipeg police. The nurse was approached by an unknown man while exiting her vehicle in the parkade late on November 8. The man engaged her in conversation before sexually assaulting her between two vehicles. Upon the nurse’s outcry, the man fled the scene, but hospital security intervened and alerted the police.
The suspected attacker was apprehended by hospital security the next morning around 3:30 a.m. and was subsequently charged with sexual assault. The 27-year-old man remains in custody. St. Boniface Hospital has implemented various safety measures in the past two years to enhance security, including deploying overnight security patrols in the parkade, implementing key-card access to stairwells, enhancing lighting, installing additional mirrors, and upgrading security camera systems.
Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, expressed dissatisfaction with the safety enhancements, stating that they are inadequate. She emphasized the prevalence of violence and abuse towards healthcare workers in Manitoba hospitals. Jackson highlighted the need for employers to prioritize the safety of frontline workers, visitors, and patients, citing recent incidents of violence in healthcare facilities across the province.
Following the assault, it was revealed that the attacker had a criminal history, including convictions for robbery, theft, sexual assault, assault, and assault with a weapon. The incident occurred shortly after the man had pleaded guilty to robbery in connection with a previous offense in July. Additionally, he had faced charges of sexual assault in 2023 after assaulting a woman in downtown Winnipeg.
In response to safety concerns, nurses at various hospitals, including Health Sciences Centre and Thompson General Hospital, have considered grey-listing these facilities due to ongoing safety issues and staff vacancies. Jackson emphasized the urgent need for improved safety measures in healthcare settings across the province to protect healthcare workers from harm.
If you need immediate assistance or fear for your safety, please call 911. For additional support, you can access crisis lines and local services through the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.