Labrador man subject of concern in Halifax
Sex assault prompts calls for alleged attacker to be labelled dangerous offender
The violent sexual assault of a Halifax woman allegedly by a man with a long history of sexual violence is prompting calls that he be designated a dangerous offender if found guilty.
Sem Paul Obed, originally from Happy Valley-goose Bay, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault and choking to overcome resistance in the daylight attack near the Halifax Commons last week.
The 47-year-old man has a criminal record dating back to 1984 and more than 30 previous convictions, including attempted murder, sexual assault and assault with a weapon, and was deemed at “high risk” to reoffend.
Jackie Stevens, executive director of the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre in Halifax, says given Obed’s extensive history of violent physical and sexual offences the Crown should consider applying for dangerous offender status if he is convicted.
Pam Rubin, a trauma therapist with the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre and Sexual Assault Services Association, questions why there wasn’t already an application to label Obed a dangerous offender given his previous violent offences.
Rubin says the criminal justice system needs to “draw a line and take action” to protect the public, including labelling Obed a dangerous offender.
Police say there was a twoyear peace bond with multiple conditions issued against Obed in August 2016, flagging him as a high-risk offender and requiring him to report weekly to a member of the Halifax police High-risk Enforcement Action Team unit.
In November 1999, police issued a high-risk offender notification after Obed was released from Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick and made it known he was heading to Halifax.
Obed had served a 70-month sentence for attempted murder, sexual assault, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and break and enter. At the time, his record included four violent attacks on women.