Manitoba schools asked to review safety measures after Winnipeg student allegedly grabbed by man in washroom

After a Winnipeg student was allegedly grabbed by a man hiding in the school washroom, the Manitoba government is asking all education boards to review their safety measures.

The province wants all school divisions to submit an emergency preparedness plan, which should include controlled access policies, before Christmas.

Manitoba says $500,000 is available for safety expert analysis, improvements and infrastructure.

BACKGROUND: Man charged for allegedly assaulting a child in a Winnipeg school washroom

“We are encouraging every single school division across Manitoba to strongly consider controlled access to their building,” said Manitoba Education Minister Tracy Schmidt.

Winnipeg police allege a registered sex offender entered Darwin School, an elementary school in St. Vital, on Thursday and hid in a washroom stall. Authorities say when a student exited a nearby stall, the man allegedly grabbed the child, who broke free and ran to tell a teacher.

A 28-year-old man with a lengthy criminal history, including sexual interference, was charged with assault, forcible confinement, and two counts of failing to comply with prohibition regarding children.

“This child fought their way out, and quickly made a report, and here we are today. This person is in custody and did not have an opportunity to harm anybody else,” Cst. Dani McKinnon said last week. “Nothing happened to this child physically in terms of harm, thank God, and what a brave student.”

Minister Tracy Schmidt says she spoke to the family, who are still in a state of disbelief that something like that could happen.

“These are the type of situations that nightmares are made of,” Schmidt said.

The Manitoba education minister explains the latest directive to school boards is aimed at improving school safety overall.

“Clearly what was in place didn’t work, so we need to make sure we’re working with that school division and every school division across the province to make sure we’re identifying any gaps that did exist,” she said.

In addition to the option of securing school doors, school boards’ plans may include the use of school resource officers, as security needs may vary between divisions.

“Any time something happens in the community, especially a child, we have to respond,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.

Kinew says while the ask to divisions is a big one, it’s necessary work that needs to be done quickly.

“Nothing matters unless kids are safe in our communities,” he said. “It’s the most important thing. I think all of us, as a parent, when we are sending our kids to school, there’s trust there. We’re trusting that our kids are going to come home safe at the end of the day and any time something like this happens, it means we have to learn from this.”