Ekati diamond mine worker testifies she was sexually assaulted in her dorm room

A worker at the Ekati Diamond Mine testified before a Yellowknife jury Tuesday that she was sexually assaulted in her dorm room by a co-worker two and a half years ago.

Nelson Washie is charged with sexual assault and is being tried in Northwest Territories court before a judge and jury. The mine is located about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. Workers are flown in and out by charter aircraft and live on-site on two-week rotations.

The alleged victim told the jury she and Washie had been having a casual sexual relationship while working at the mine. She said that relationship ended several months before the alleged assault took place.

She testified that on Aug. 26, 2013, Washie called and asked to come to her room and chat but she said no. She said he showed up anyway about 15 minutes later, walked into her room and raped her.

The woman said she told her supervisor who then brought her to security. The following day she spoke with Ekati Human Resources staff and was flown to Yellowknife, where she spoke with police and was examined by a doctor.

During cross-examination, defence lawyer Peter Harte pointed out several discrepancies between the statement she gave to Human Resources and the one she gave police. She told police that when Washie phoned asking to coming over, she said no. But she told mine staff she allowed him to come over.

The defence called no witnesses.

The Crown and defence are slated to make their closing statements to the jury Wednesday.