NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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York Regional Police investigators with the Special Victims Unit – Sexual Assault Section are seeking witnesses and are investigating two sexual assaults in the Town of Richmond Hill.
On Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at approximately 5 p.m., a female victim was outside her residence in the area of Lucas Street and Driscoll Road when she was approached by an unknown male suspect on a bicycle. The male suspect engaged in conversation, then grabbed her and touched her in a sexual manner. The victim phoned police and the suspect fled the area.
Investigators are urging any witnesses, additional victims or anyone with information to please come forward.
On Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at approximately 6:45 p.m., a female victim was walking in the area of Lucas Street and Driscoll Road when she was approached by an unknown male a on a bicycle. The male suspect spoke with the female victim in an attempt to gain her phone number. The victim attempted to walk away when the male suspect grabbed her and touched her in a sexual manner.
An arrest has been made in this incident. The accused is in custody and the investigation is ongoing.
Investigators are still determining whether these two incidents are related.
A sexual assault includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. York Regional Police would like to encourage anyone who feels they may have been a victim of a sexual assault to come forward and report the incident to police. There is no statute of limitations for sexual offences and offenders can be prosecuted well after the date of the offence.
If you are the survivor of sexual assault, you can report the incident online if:
- You are not in danger
- The person who assaulted you is not present
- There is no evidence present that may be collected by police (blood, semen, saliva, etc.). Evidence can be collected for up to 12 days after the sexual assault has occurred
- You have access to a private email address, to which the suspect does not have access
Use the following link for more information and to make an online report:
https://www.yrp.ca/en/Online-Reporting.asp
If you are not ready to report, as an additional resource, the Cedar Centre http://www.cedarcentre.ca has developed videos addressing issues surrounding sexual assault. The videos can be found here: https://fb.watch/bnmeRA3n-A/
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit – Sexual Assault Section at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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