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She had seen all kinds of victims and perpetrators during her career at the Ottawa courthouse, heard all kinds of courtroom accusations and allegations.

But she never expected to be victimized herself, and certainly not within the very courthouse where she works.

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The Ottawa woman, who cannot be identified due to a publication ban, alleges she was sexually assaulted by a fellow courthouse employee in the man’s courthouse office. After she reported the assault to a supervisor, she was immediately urged to contact police.

A week later, in mid-November 2017, according to the woman, Timothy Patten was escorted from the building, where he worked as a court staff supervisor.

Patten, 44, appeared before a judge last week in the same courthouse, charged with one count of sexual assault.

“It’s one thing to work in the (court) system. It’s a whole other thing to be going through it,” said the woman. “I never thought I’d be talking to a Crown (attorney) or a victim services worker. I never thought I’d be going through this.”