Group home resident convicted of assaulting employee

A former employee at a Welland group home for adults told court she had to quit her job and now lives in fear after a resident grabbed her breast and buttocks.

“I was only too happy to leave that house,” the woman told an Ontario Court of Justice Friday after the resident, a 29-year-old man, pleaded guilty to assault. “I will never be able to work in a group home again.”

The defendant, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the victim, was placed on probation for three years.

The victim said she attempted to return to work at the Welland residential group home, which supports people with mental health issues who are either homeless are at risk of becoming homeless.

But, she said, she had to quit a few months later as she was plagued by fear and anxiety.

“The world has changed for me,” she told Judge Tory Colvin, adding she now clutches keys in her hands when walking in public spaces and she’s “identified what can be used in a weapon” in every room of her home.

The judge encouraged the victim to seek counselling to help her deal with the emotional scars from the incident.

“One of the greatest tragedies from this incident is that it has taken away your confidence and left you living in fear,” he said.

“Do not let your life be governed by fear, and find the faith you had in humanity.”

The judge also commended the woman for her career choice, saying it takes a “special kind of person” to work in group home settings.

“(They) are blessed with incredible patience and ability to deal with some of the most difficult people in society,” he said, adding he worries how vulnerable people would fare if not for the caring staff at such facilities.

On June 18, 2018, court heard, the woman had just arrived for her shift when the defendant asked her for help in finding pasta in the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, the woman realized pasta wasn’t on the menu that night and it was not the defendant’s turn to help prepare the meal.

At that point, he grabbed her breast.

When the woman walked away, he reached down and touched her buttocks.

The defendant initially denied touching the woman inappropriately but later apologized for his actions.

Defence lawyer Mark Evans described the incident as “an impulse he succumbed to.”

“He recognizes that it was completely inappropriate,” he said.

The defendant was moved to another residential group home after the incident.

“I liked it very much there,” he said of the first home. “I pray for everyone involved.”