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Manitoba's First Sexual Assault Exam Space Opens
24 Oct
Summary
- New campus will house 40 emergency beds and 20 supportive housing units.
- It will feature the region's first dedicated sexual assault examination suite.
- The project aims to increase emergency housing capacity by 35 percent.
A significant new facility, the Women's Campus, is planned for downtown Brandon, aiming to provide comprehensive support for women and children experiencing domestic violence. Developed by YWCA Westman over three years, the $40 million project will feature multi-story housing and a service hub.
This campus is designed to be a sanctuary, offering 40 emergency beds and 20 supportive housing units. Services will include crisis response, health and mental health support, justice and cultural assistance, and community programming. A key feature will be the Westman region's first dedicated sexual assault examination suite, providing trauma-informed care and a safe space for interviews.
The YWCA supported over 450 individuals, including 184 children, fleeing violence in 2025, and faced challenges with shelter capacity, turning away 75 people. The Women's Campus seeks to address this by increasing emergency housing by 35 percent. Planning has received over $1 million in provincial and federal funding, alongside donor contributions. The project's timeline is not yet set, with community awareness being the immediate focus.
