Manitoba Schools Ordered to Review Safety After Student Assault

UPDATE: Every school in Manitoba is now required to conduct an urgent safety review following a disturbing incident where a student was assaulted by a registered sex offender at Darwin School in Winnipeg’s St. Vital area on November 27, 2023. This decisive action comes as the province aims to enhance student safety across all 690 public schools in Manitoba.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew emphasized the critical need for safety, stating, “Nothing else matters unless our kids are safe.” Speaking at the Manitoba School Boards Association office, Kinew expressed his concern for the victim and their family, asserting, “What happened at Darwin School last week should never happen.”

The assault involved a student who was targeted in a bathroom by Scott William George, 28, who is now facing charges of assault and forcible confinement. Authorities report that George entered the elementary school, concealed himself in a bathroom, and seized the student as they exited another stall. Fortunately, the child managed to escape unharmed.

In response to this alarming event, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt has directed all school divisions to submit an emergency response plan for their institutions. This plan will focus on controlling access at all school entrances, ensuring that such incidents are prevented in the future.

To support this initiative, the Manitoba government has allocated $500,000 for safety assessments and to host a safety forum that will involve collaboration with police experts. Schmidt stated, “We will bring leaders together to share best practices.”

With 613 elementary schools and 301 secondary schools in the province, the review process will be extensive. Schmidt noted, “This incident has made us all, and school leaders, certainly pause and re-evaluate their safety practices and policies. These are very important steps, but these are also first steps. We will take every measure necessary to make sure that kids are safe.”

As this situation develops, parents and community members are urged to pay close attention to safety updates from local schools and the provincial government. The emotional impact of this incident resonates deeply, highlighting the pressing need for enhanced security measures to safeguard children in educational settings.

Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue to address this critical issue and implement necessary changes to ensure the safety of all students in Manitoba.