Man arrested in connection with 5 sex assaults around Health Sciences Centre
28-year-old charged with numerous counts of sexual assault, sexual interference, assault, carrying weapon
A man has been arrested in connection with a string of random sexual assaults this week in and around Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre against a teen and several women, including HSC staff.
Police said a 28-year-old man was taken into custody Thursday night after he was arrested on Spence Street just blocks from where five sexual assaults occurred one night earlier.
"Quite traumatizing for the survivors," Winnipeg police Const. Dani McKinnon told CBC News on Friday. "I think the community [is] very much rocked by this."
The man has been charged with five counts of sexual assault, one count of sexual interference, three counts of assault and one count of carrying a concealed prohibited weapon, device or ammunition, a news release from police said Friday.
The Manitoba Nurses Union said Thursday that long-standing safety and security concerns among HSC staff persist in the core-area hospital, including in the hospital tunnel.
Police previously said officers were called Wednesday around 8 p.m. about reports of four random sexual assaults on women around the HSC campus area.
The first, around 7 p.m., was against a teenage girl walking near Elgin Avenue and Sherbrook Street.
The second happened around 7:12 p.m. A woman who works at HSC was walking east on William Avenue near Furby Street when she was grabbed from behind and sexually assaulted.
Another woman who works at HSC was walking in the hospital tunnel system when she was sexually assaulted around 7:42 p.m.
Around 7:45 p.m., yet another woman employed at HSC was sexually assaulted and fell to the ground while she was walking south on Emily Street at McDermot Avenue.
A fifth woman later reported being sexually assaulted that night on Notre Dame Avenue between Sherbrook and Langside streets, police said Friday when they confirmed an arrest had been made.
The man remains in custody.
The police sex crimes unit continues to investigate.
Anyone willing to speak to investigators can call 204-986-6245 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers online or by phone at 204-786-8477.
'It's alarming': HSC security member
The latest arrest comes after years of safety concerns voiced by HSC staff who have called for changes.
A member of HSC security services says for the past few months, the security team has been operating "critically short" staffed, and it's gotten even worse in recent weeks.
It's become routine for in-house security to be down eight or nine staff members on any given day, he said.
"Ever since summer, it's alarming," the HSC security member said. CBC News isn't naming him over concerns it could impact his job.
The worker acknowledged efforts by Shared Health to improve security at the hospital. The department workforce has grown by over a third, he said.
"But they haven't hired a single new manager: one manager is responsible to hire, train, get these officers uniformed and do all these things," he said.
He said scheduling holes mandated to be filled by institutional safety officers or HSC security are instead being staffed by private security contractors, who don't always have adequate training or an understanding of the complex procedures that come with a health-care environment.
They also lack the same de-escalation skills and use-of-force powers HSC staff security have by law, he said.
"Despite that, they're being stationed at critical positions like emergency department, children's emergency department, the weapons scanners, without any orientation or preparation," the member of HSC security said.
"This is a serious safety concern. You're not even aware of the building you are in. How can you safeguard that building or the people and the patients in that building or the staff members?"
Shared Health, health minister respond
In a previous statement, a spokesperson with Shared Health, which co-ordinates health care in Manitoba, said the organization is committed to keeping staff, patients and visitors safe.
Escort services remain available to staff entering or leaving the building and regular security patrols continue, the spokesperson said.
"We recognize the impact these situations can have on staff members, and supports have been made available to anyone who has been affected," the Thursday statement said.
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the NDP government has made improvements to HSC security, including surveillance systems, weapons scanners, added security guards and institutional safety officers, lighting upgrades and more tightly controlled access to parkades.
Asagwara said their office, Shared Health and HSC are reviewing the sexual assaults in hopes of spotting better ways to keep visitors and staff safe.
"The incidents are deeply concerning," Asagwara said in a statement. "You should always be able to work, get service or visit HSC safely."
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With files from Alana Cole