On Saturday October 19, 2013 just after midnight, a 17 year old female student resident was walking alone on the UBC campus in the 2500 block of West Mall when she was approached from behind by an unknown male who emerged suddenly from a wooded area.
The male placed his hands around the woman’s hips and attempted to drag her into the adjacent wooded area. During this attack the male also ripped at clothing the woman was wearing under her skirt.
The woman struggled and managed to break free from the lone attacker and screamed for help causing the male suspect to flee on foot. She also sustained a bruised eye, requiring minor first aid after being punched in the face by this attacker.
The lone male suspect is described as Caucasian, late 20s to early 30s . He is approximately 6′ 2″ tall with a thin build. He had short cropped hair and was wearing blue jeans and a dark hoodie. The attacker spoke possibly with an American accent.
This is the third similar attack in as many weeks at the UBC Campus. “This assault series has become University RCMP Detachment’s top priority. We are engaged with many partner law enforcement agencies to attempt to identify and apprehend the person or persons responsible for these attacks” says Sgt. Drew Grainger.
“The RCMP would also like to reinforce the continued strong message for all citizens who walk through the Campus at night to exercise every precaution to ensure their own personal safety”
Police are seeking the assistance of the public in identifying the male responsible for this incident. Please provide any information to the University RCMP at 604-224-1322 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Both University RCMP and UBC Campus Security are taking these incidents very seriously. In addition, the UBC community is advised to take additional safety measures and be extra vigilant:
- Don’t walk alone at night. Travel with friends to get to and from your destination, look out for each other and don’t let your friends walk alone.
- Use the AMS Safewalk Program (604-822-5355) to have someone accompany you from 8pm to 2am. Put this number in your phone.
- Use the Translink Community Shuttle, which operates on a fixed route and stops near residence.
- Know the location of UBC Blue Phones around campus to connect directly with UBC Campus Security.
- If you find yourself alone late at night on campus after these other services have stopped running for the evening, please call Campus Security at 604-822-2222 (put this number in your phone) or use a UBC Blue Phone and a security patrol will accompany you to your campus destination.
In the three reported incidents, the women screamed for help and resisted, which scared off the assailant. UBC Campus Security has additional information and resources on personal safety.
You can also follow the University RCMP on twitter (@University_RCMP) to receive the most current bulletins and safety information.
Source: University RCMP | Image: Josef Hanus / Shutterstock
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