Neighbours are concerned after a report of a sexual assault with a weapon early Sunday at a normally quiet townhouse complex in Gordon Head.
Saanich police said the attack happened about 2 a.m. Sunday on Wolf Street, near Mount Douglas Secondary and within walking distance of the University of Victoria.
A 22-year-old woman from the Lower Mainland, who was visiting friends from UVic, was staying at their townhouse unit overnight when a man with a knife broke into the dark residence and sexually assaulted her.
The victim is recovering and is being supported by friends and community services, police said.
Police said the man and woman are not known to each other. The man is described as tall and athletic looking with short blond hair, and might have been wearing glasses.
Major-crime and forensic investigators were at the scene Sunday and Monday.
Police do not believe the public is in danger.
Sherri Gerrard, who shares a townhouse in the complex with her son, said she was shaken up by the incident. “It’s really concerning to find out that something so terrible has happened so close.”
Gerrard said she and her son have been in the area for about five years and found it safe. “Everybody knows their neighbours — everybody’s friendly, says ‘hello’ as they’re walking by,” she said.
Cam Bristow, who lives two doors from the unit where the incident took place, said he was up about the time it occurred but didn’t hear anything unusual.
Bristow said he noticed a detective outside during the day Sunday.
“We didn’t know what was going on until he knocked on the door,” he said. “Me and my mom were pretty alarmed.”
Bristow said the complex is usually a low-key place, save for a few parties on weekends. He said he and his mother have sometimes left the door unlocked.
Dylan Collins, part of another group of UVic students living in the complex, said he hopes police find the culprit quickly.
“I know my roommates that I’m living with are all very concerned about how this happened, who would do such a thing.”
Saanich police Sgt. Julie Fast said officers have discovered from the case that some multi-resident homes in the area rented by UVic students are not always locked, and are stressing the need for security. Police said it’s possible the suspect had prior knowledge that the townhouse he broke into was insecure.
“We’re just reiterating with people to remain vigilant and lock your doors,” Fast said.
Tom Downie, UVic’s director of campus security, said such assaults are rare in the community but he supports the advice of Saanich police to lock doors and report any suspicious behaviour to police immediately. He noted that campus security, which provides service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, has personal-safety co-ordinators who are available to meet with students to discuss any safety and security concerns.
Any students, faculty and staff affected by sexualized violence on or off campus can contact the Sexualized Violence Resource Office in Equity and Human Rights for support, he added.
Fast said officers went door-to-door to neighbours and did a ground search for evidence Monday.
“We did an extensive canvass of all the neighbours,” Fast said. “Of course there may be people we’ve missed and there may be people that witnessed something.”
They might realize their information has relevance as news of the sexual assault spreads, Fast said.
If you have any information about the assault, you can contact Saanich police at 250-475-4321.
