UPDATE: North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP now say that an alleged sexual assault on a 14-year old girl on Thursday has now been proven not to have happened.
The assault had reportedly taken place on Thursday afternoon in the area of James Street and York Road as the student was walking to school.
The RCMP say they treated the allegation seriously and carried out a thorough investigation.
On Friday night, the Mounties reported that the sexual assault did not take place.
The suspect that had been taken into custody has now been released without charge.
The RCMP say there is no risk to the public at this time.
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center reports that the prevalence of false reporting cases of sexual violence is low and yet when survivors come forward, many face scrutiny or encounter barriers.
The NSVRC also says that the majority of sexual assaults, an estimated 63 percent, are never reported to the police.
Ben O'Hara
