York Regional Police believe there are more victims after a Vaughan man was charged with a historic sexual assault and extortion.
On February 3, 2024, the victim reported that she met the accused on a dating app in 2018 and the pair engaged in consensual sex at the victim’s residence. At some point in the night, the accused sexually assaulted the victim without her consent, police said.
In August 2019, the accused turned up at the victim’s residence and forced her to perform a sexual act, then demanded she pay him a sum of money to leave her home. Fearful, the victim complied and the accused left. At the time, the victim was too scared to report the incidents to police, police said.
Investigators believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward and they are being urged to contact police as soon as possible.
Israil Rassuli, 32, of Vaughan has been charged with two counts of sexual assault, extortion, assault, and theft under $5,000.
Rassuli has been released on bail conditions and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on March 12, 2024.
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 immediate danger; the person who assaulted you is not present; there is no evidence present that may be collected by police (blood, semen, saliva, etc.); and you have access to a private email address, to which the suspect does not. Physical evidence can be collected for up to 12 days after the sexual assault has occurred
If someone is not ready to report, however is seeking support, please contact York Region Victim Services or the Women’s Support Network. Additional resources and information can be found on our website.
Anyone with information is asked to call the York Regional Police Sexual Assault and Crimes Against Children Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or by leaving an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
