The Victoria Police Department is seeking witnesses for a violent sexual assault that occurred in the downtown area on Monday night.
According to a police report, officers were called to the 600-block of Pembroke Street close to 11:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7 after receiving a report of a sexual assault.
“The victim was assaulted and then sexually assaulted at that location before the suspect left the scene,” said Const. Cam MacIntyre, public affairs officer for Victoria police.
Investigators say that the incident took place shortly after 10 p.m. in the grassy, fenced-in area near Pembroke Street and Princess Avenue.
Police said the victim did not know the attacker.
“Generally, sexual assault or sexual violence that happens between two people who don’t know each other at all is relatively about 15 per cent of the time,” said Elijah Zimmerman, executive director of the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC). “So it is rare, most sexual violence does occur between already known acquaintance.”
Zimmerman says sexual assaults are still too prevalent, and part of the solution is to talk more about it.
“Its a public health issue,” said Zimmerman. “Obviously individually, we want to think of how to stay safe, but this is a bigger consideration of how we understand consent, how we respect each other and our bodies.”
Victoria Police says that the victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“The important thing is to provide as much support as we can to victims of sexualized violence so that they understand that if they come forward they will be supported. At VicPD, we take a victim first approach,” said Cst. MacIntyre.
According to the police report, the suspect is described as a 30 to 40-year-old Black man, standing around six feet tall with a slim build. The suspect wore a surgical mask, jeans and a t-shirt.
Police add that the suspect had short hair and was reportedly “well-dressed.” It was also reported by the victim that the suspect spoke with an accent that sounded east African.
The man was pushing a bicycle described as an older-style racing bike.
If you have information about this incident or recognize this suspect, Victoria police is asking for you to call (250) 995-7654, extension 1.
To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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