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. 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.
