In June 2022, the Winnipeg Police Service's Child Abuse Unit received a report about historical sexual abuse involving multiple youths spanning two decades, beginning in the late 1990s.
This report initiated a complex investigation involving a number of survivors who reported similar accounts of sexual abuse and exploitation by an adult male known to them. The survivors were between 4-20 years old when they attended the accused's residence both for child-minding (as youngsters) and as visitors when they got older.
During these occasions, the accused asked the survivors to touch his body, slept unclothed with them and touched them in an unwanted sexual manner.
As the survivors grew into adolescents, they were provided drugs and alcohol at his residence.
The Child Abuse Unit continued the investigation and on April 28, 2023, a 58-year-old male, Leslie Edward SEMCHYSHYN of Winnipeg, was charged with the following offences:
- Sexual Assault x 7
- Sexual Interference x 5
- Sexual Exploitation
- Invitation to Sexual Touching x 2
- Administer Noxious Thing with Intent to Endanger Life or Cause Bodily Harm
- LCA Supply liquor / controlled beverage to a person under 18 years
He was released on an Undertaking as mandated by the Criminal Code.
Support resources include WPS Victim Services at 204-986-6350 and the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631. Investigators in the Child Abuse Unit can be reached at 204-986-3296.