An assault on a woman in a University of Manitoba residence hall has left students on edge.

The student, who CTV News is not identifying, said she woke up in her Dafoe Road dorm around 4:30 a.m. Friday. She said a stranger came into her room and started assaulting her. She fought back and fled, banging on the hallway doors. When no one came out, she set off the fire alarm.

Freshman Kaitlyn Podolchuk said the news of the assault was “very scary and disturbing.”

“How they could so easily come into someone’s room, it was really terrifying,” she said.

Podolchuk lives in the building where the incident occurred. She said she heard the fire alarm go off, but didn’t know why. It was only hours later that she heard about the attack.

“This raises questions about the level of security in the building.”

Since Friday’s incident, the University of Manitoba said it has increased campus security.

“Effective immediately, we have added 24/7 security to the lobby of every residence hall building,” said Naomi Andrew, vice president for university administration.

The new measures are in addition to others already in place before the assault.

“It was forced entry,” Andrew said of the attack. “So a break-in.” We have patrols that go around campus, but we didn’t have anyone securing those specific gates.

Prime Minister Wab Kinew said his government was aware of the incident and was in contact with the university administration.

“We are looking at: will this be enough? Or is there still something to do here? » Kinew told reporters on Monday.

To help alleviate safety concerns, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) said it is looking to expand the self-defense classes it offers.

“Given that this is now a reality for a student, we don’t know when this might happen again,” UMSU President Divya Sharma said.

Podolchuk said she hopes it doesn’t happen again and is taking precautions to avoid it.

“Such a thing should not happen again,” she said. “We have to be ready for anything at all times.”

Late Friday evening, Winnipeg police arrested a suspect.

Garry Edwards Jr., 46, was charged with three counts of breaking and entering with intent, sexual assault, grand larceny and overcoming resistance while attempting to strangle another person.

None of the charges have been tested in court.

Edwards is a convicted sex offender. He was released from prison in November 2023 after serving a 12-year prison sentence for randomly attacking two women on the same day in April 2012.

He was taken into custody.