Pre-teen girl sexually assaulted at knifepoint: Winnipeg police

Winnipeg police are asking for help from the public to identify a suspect in an alleged child sexual assault.

Winnipeg police are seeking the public’s help to identify a suspect alleged to have sexually assaulted a pre-teen girl.

Police say the girl was walking in the 400 block of Manitoba Avenue around 3 a.m. on Saturday, when she was approached by a man driving a vehicle. The force said the man tempted the girl to enter his vehicle by promising drugs and alcohol.

When she got into the suspect’s vehicle, he drove her to a nearby alley, threatened her at knifepoint and a “serious” sexual assault occurred, police said. After the assault, the girl fled to a nearby family member’s home, where police were contacted.

The force’s child abuse unit took over the investigation and they are looking for the public’s help to identify the suspect, who was driving a four-door, brown-coloured sedan at the time.

He is also described as between the ages of 30 and 40, with short dark hair and a moustache.

Anyone with information, or surveillance, cell phone or dashcam video at the time of the incident is asked to contact the child abuse unit investigators at 204-986-3296.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Winnipeg Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or online.

Police reiterated their support for survivors of sexual assault. Resources include the service’s victim services at 204-986-6350 and the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling. 
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.