The family of a disabled woman living at one of the territory's extended care facilities is calling for better security after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by another resident earlier this year.

The 54-year-old, who cannot be identified because of the nature of the crime, is still living at Whitehorse's Copper Ridge Place, where the attack allegedly happened last July.

According to a letter from her family sent to top health and political officials, she was in her unit's sitting area when a resident in a wheelchair rolled over to her, pulled a blanket over her lap and moved his hand down her underwear.

The woman, who has Down syndrome, could not defend herself nor call out for help.

The assault was witnessed and reported by a staff member, the family said.

"It was an incredibly traumatizing experience for the entire family,” the woman's sister told the Star today. "We thought we had found a place for her to be cared for and be safe.”

The family wants cameras installed inside the territory's four government-run long-term care facilities and an area created for people who may be a danger to be kept away for other residents.

"It doesn't have to be sexual assault; it could be violence; there are people who could be a danger to others, and residents deserve to feel safe in their homes,” the sister said.

After the event, the man was put on one-on-one surveillance, the family said.

But even under surveillance, he was allowed to "cruise the hallways with his guard in tow” until they complained and he was moved.

Pat Living, the Department of Health and Social Services' spokesperson, said she couldn't talk about the specifics of the case because of privacy concerns.

This is the first time in at least a decade that anything like this has happened in one of the government's facilities, Living said.

Currently, each building has security cameras at the front doors but not inside.

"Our continuing care facilities are viewed as the residents' homes, and to have a camera would be considered intrusive,” she said. "There are also some privacy issues we have to think about in doing that.”

However, the department is currently "looking at whether or not we should be enhancing security for our facilities,” Living said.

She would not say whether these changes are being considered as a result of the attack, saying only that policies are frequently reviewed.

Extended care facilities in the territory do not turn away anyone in need of care if they qualify and there is a bed available.

"It is our obligation as providers,” Living said.

While criminal record checks are done on staff members, residents are not screened.

"If we were able to do that, who becomes judge and jury?” Living asked.

"Who determines who should be able to get into the facilities and what would preclude them from not being able to get in the facility and what would happen to them if we didn't accept them?”

Currently about 170 residents live in the territory's facilities in Whitehorse and Dawson City.

All residents are assessed before entering a facility as well as at least four times a year to determine their needs and adjust their individual care plan, Living said.

"Quite sadly, you could have the nicest, sweetest person who, because of age-related dementia, becomes a complete unknown. That's not who they are, but that's what their dementia has done to them.”

Care plans for people who cannot interact safely with others could include 24-hour-a-day monitoring, Living said.

In very rare occasions, if staff cannot care safely for a person, he or she may be sent to a facility outside the territory.

The territory's facilities currently have one of the best nurse-to-patient ratios in the country, Living said.

During the day, there is one nurse for every four patients. If you include other non-nursing staff, that number drops to 3:1.

"We have enough staff around to monitor and watch if there needs to be a red flag for anything.”

A complaint can be made by staff, family members or the residents, Living said.

"If we have a client who has some difficulty speaking but their behaviour changes, that could be indicative of something.”

If the situation is urgent, the current policy calls for an interim solution to be in place within four hours. For non-urgent situations, officials have two days.

Meanwhile, the alleged victim of the assault is often seen crying.

As far as her sister knows, the alleged attacker is no longer living at Copper Ridge Place.

Whitehorse RCMP Sgt. Tom Wyers said investigators are currently working with Crown prosecutors reviewing the case to see if charges will be laid.

‘We're not looking for revenge,” the sister said. "We want to make sure things are done to see that this doesn't happen to anyone else.”