Officer charged, sex-trade workers vulnerable, expert says

More details are emerging about the arrest of a Winnipeg police constable who is now facing multiple charges including two counts of sexual assault, breach of trust and extortion.

Const. Remi Van Den Driessche has also been told to stay away from Main Street at Higgins Avenue as well as McPhillips Street at Mountain Avenue.

CBC has learned the charges stem from incidents involving two women with ties to the sex trade. Both are known to police and have been charged with prostitution offences in the past.

Shona Stewart, the director of Dignity House, said sex-trade workers are among societys most vulnerable people.

If theres police, if theres clergy, if theres anybody you can have an issue and [have them] use their power and control over another person, said Stewart. These women are very much vulnerable to that.

Van Den Driessche is also facing four charges of criminal harassment in relation to three other women.

He is currently on administrative leave.