Latest news with #GarryJuniorEdwards
CBC
28-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Former student says U of Manitoba failed to protect her from dorm room attack by convicted sex offender
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it. A former University of Manitoba student is suing the school, alleging it failed to protect her last October, when a convicted sex offender snuck into her on-campus residence and assaulted her as she slept. In a statement of claim filed with Manitoba's Court of the King's Bench earlier this month, the woman said the university's lack of adequate safety measures and enforcement made it possible for her to be attacked by a stranger on school property while she was vulnerable. On Oct. 25, 2024, the woman, who was then a U of M student, was living in the Arthur V. Mauro Residence at the university's south Winnipeg campus. At 4:45 a.m., 46-year-old Garry Junior Edwards — who had been convicted of two violent sexual assaults in 2013 — gained access to the residence, broke into a secured area and broke into the victim's room, according to police. Police said the woman fought him off during the assault and was later treated for injuries. Edwards is facing charges for sexual assault, robbery, breaking and entering, and attempting to overcome resistance by choking, suffocating or strangling a person. The statement of claim alleges the school's lack of security measures "created conditions that allowed … [Edwards] to encounter the plaintiff" and harm her. The attacker was able to "exploit the … [university's] lack of adequate safety measures, rules and enforcement to gain access to the plaintiff and further his abuse," and the university is therefore "liable for the wrongful actions of the perpetrator," according to the lawsuit. The university, named as the defendant in the suit, owes a duty of care to students enrolled there, and those who are living on campus rely on university administration to keep them safe when they are asleep and vulnerable, the statement of claim says. The lawsuit also alleges that the school did not provide adequate counselling or assistance after the assault. "The conduct of the defendant … was harsh, high-handed and malicious, and, as such, should be punished," according to the lawsuit. As a result of the attack, the woman said she has experienced physical pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, insomnia and night terrors. After the attack, she also withdrew from the university, the claim said. She is seeking general damages, special damages, punitive damages and aggravated damages. The statement of claim, which does not include a specific cost figure, also seeks coverage for past and future health-care services. None of the allegations in the lawsuit have been tested in court. No statement of claim has been filed. University of Manitoba administration told CBC News in a statement the school is aware of the lawsuit and "will respond as required in due course." "Student safety is a top priority," and the U of M has "a number of safety initiatives and measures on campus," the emailed statement said, adding the university held several safety sessions in March. CBC News reached out to the former student's Vancouver-based lawyer on Tuesday afternoon but did not receive a reply before publication. For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Student sues University of Manitoba following dorm room sexual assault
The Arthur V. Mauro Residence at the University of Manitoba is seen on Oct. 25, 2024. A student is suing the university after she was assaulted in a dorm last year. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) A female student who was allegedly sexually assaulted in a dorm last year is suing the University of Manitoba for damages and costs, according to a statement of claim filed in the Court of King's Bench of Manitoba. In October 2024, Garry Junior Edwards, 46, allegedly entered a dorm within the Arthur V. Mauro Student Residence building on campus and attacked a woman who managed to fight him off, per a news release from the Winnipeg Police Service. Edwards, who has a 'history of violent sexual offending' according to the province's justice department, was apprehended the following day and charged with several offences, which included sexual assault and overcoming resistance by attempting to choke, suffocate, or strangle another person. The charges have not been proven in court. Winnipeg Police Service suspect The Winnipeg Police Service released these images in October 2024 following an assault within a student residence building at the University of Manitoba. Garry Junior Edwards was later arrested, according to police. (Supplied: Winnipeg Police Service) Allegations laid out in the claim include that the university was 'negligent' and '(failed) to supervise the premises to prevent access by the perpetrator,' adding that the university '(failed) to adequately counsel and assist' the student after learning of the incident. The statement of claim says that the university 'was at all material times responsible for ensuring the safety and security of its students, including providing safe accommodations' within the student residence building, citing the Occupiers Liability Act and other statutes. The court filing states that the woman has since suffered withdrawal from university, permanent disability, loss of opportunity to earn income, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, nightmares and other damages. The woman has been required to undergo medical treatment and counselling, according to the statement of claim. She is also seeking past and future costs for health care services pursuant to The Health Services Insurance Act. No dollar figure sought by the student has been laid out in the statement of claim which was filed on May 16, 2025. None of the allegations in the claim have been tested in court. 'Student safety is a top priority,' says university The University of Manitoba administration, who told CTV News that they will respond to the statement of claim in due course, said that 'student safety is a top priority.' The university states that several additional safety measures have been added on campus, including adding additional security presence in each student residence lobby in response to the incident. CTV News has reached out to the lawyer located in Vancouver who is representing the student for comment but has not heard back.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Student sues University of Manitoba after assault in dorm
The Arthur V. Mauro Residence at the University of Manitoba is seen on Oct. 25, 2024. A student is suing the university after she was assaulted in a dorm last year. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) A female student who was allegedly sexually assaulted in a dorm last year is suing the University of Manitoba for damages and costs, according to a statement of claim filed in the Court of King's Bench of Manitoba. In October 2024, Garry Junior Edwards, 46, allegedly entered a dorm within the Arthur V. Mauro Student Residence building on campus and attacked a woman who managed to fight him off, per a news release from the Winnipeg Police Service. Edwards, who has a 'history of violent sexual offending' according to the province's justice department, was apprehended the following day and charged with several offences, which included sexual assault and overcoming resistance by attempting to choke, suffocate, or strangle another person. The charges have not been proven in court. Winnipeg Police Service suspect The Winnipeg Police Service released these images in October 2024 following an assault within a student residence building at the University of Manitoba. Garry Junior Edwards was later arrested, according to police. (Supplied: Winnipeg Police Service) Allegations laid out in the claim include that the university was 'negligent' and '(failed) to supervise the premises to prevent access by the perpetrator,' adding that the university '(failed) to adequately counsel and assist' the student after learning of the incident. The statement of claim says that the university 'was at all material times responsible for ensuring the safety and security of its students, including providing safe accommodations' within the student residence building, citing the Occupiers Liability Act and other statutes. The court filing states that the woman has since suffered withdrawal from university, permanent disability, loss of opportunity to earn income, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, nightmares and other damages. The woman has been required to undergo medical treatment and counselling, according to the statement of claim. She is also seeking past and future costs for health care services pursuant to The Health Services Insurance Act. No dollar figure sought by the student has been laid out in the statement of claim which was filed on May 16, 2025. None of the allegations in the claim have been tested in court. 'Student safety is a top priority,' says university The University of Manitoba administration, who told CTV News that they will respond to the statement of claim in due course, said that 'student safety is a top priority.' The university states that several additional safety measures have been added on campus, including adding additional security presence in each student residence lobby in response to the incident. CTV News has reached out to the lawyer located in Vancouver who is representing the student for comment but has not heard back.
Global News
27-05-2025
- Global News
Former University of Manitoba student attacked in dorm files lawsuit against school
A former University of Manitoba student who was allegedly attacked in a campus dorm room is now suing the university. In October, police say a man broke into the complex on Dafoe Road, entered a female student's room, and physically and sexually assaulted her. Global News is not identifying the victim. The statement of claim filed on May 16th alleges the university was negligent, failed in its duty to protect the student, and created conditions that allowed the perpetrator to encounter the victim. The lawsuit claims the post-secondary institution failed to supervise the premises to prevent unauthorized access, failed to have a system of monitoring, reporting, or peer reporting to address concerns regarding unauthorized individuals on the premises, and failed to screen or monitor people who had access to the premises and the students. Story continues below advertisement The document also outlines how the incident has impacted the student, saying she has suffered physical pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental anguish, depression, anxiety, and has withdrawn from the university. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The lawsuit is seeking damages, as well as past and future cost of health care services. 'The University is aware of the claim and will respond as required in due course,' a spokesperson for UM administration said to Global News in an emailed statement. 'Student safety is a top priority, and we have a number of safety initiatives and measures on campus. In March 2025, UM also held several safety sessions for the community that were well attended and there are plans for more in the future.' The accused in the case, convicted sex offender Garry Junior Edwards, was arrested days after the incident and is facing a number of charges, including sexual assault, robbery, and overcoming resistance by attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle another person. Edwards was the subject of a sex offender notification by Manitoba Justice in November 2023, when he was released from Stony Mountain Institution, with officials deeming him to be a high risk to re-offend. In 2013, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for randomly sexually assaulting and robbing two women in April 2012.
