Lethbridge police are continuing to investigate two separate but very similar sexual assault cases that began with the victims being offered a ride.
Police say on Jan. 17, a 14-year-old boy was walking along Temple Boulevard when he was approached by a man driving by who offered him a ride.
The teen accepted, and then police say he was driven to a secluded westside location where the man allegedly confined and sexually assaulted him, later dropping him off at a traffic circle along Metis Trail in Copperwood.
LPS has released a sketch of the man, who is described as Caucasian, between 30 to 40 years old, with a medium build. He was clean-shaven and spoke with a stutter.
“It is frightening that this is going on, but we do know that it is predatory behaviour and that people who harm others, in this manner, surveil and seek out, target and groom people to be able to perpetrate these types of crimes,” said Kristine Cassie, CEO of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre (CSAC).
She says regardless of the circumstance, victims are not at fault for these types of crimes.
“As the public, we tend to look at this and already start to label that the victim could’ve done something different,” explained Cassie.
“We have to remember that perpetrators are highly skilled. They are surveilling who they are going to target. They have particular targets in mind. They may use alcohol and drugs. They may use all sorts of other methods to convince, groom someone to gain that trust, even if it’s fleeting, for someone to accept a ride.”
The matter comes following a similar, but separate, case where a 26-year-old woman was outside the downtown library when an unknown male offered her a ride on Jan. 11.
Police say the victim got into the car and was driven to a northside park where she was allegedly threatened and sexually assaulted in the vehicle before being kicked out.
Police have charged 36-year-old Anthony Small with sexual assault, uttering threats and unlawful confinement.
Police believe there may be more victims.
“Coming forward is really what is going to stop this predator from going out and sexually assaulting someone else,” said Cassie.
“Not so much as someone changing their patterns of accepting a ride or taking public transit or not taking public transit. This is something we have to hold the predator to account for.”
But Cassie acknowledges that coming forward is never easy.
She recommends going through the CSAC or speaking with a close family member or friend as avenues to getting help.
“Often, even during the time of the assault, (they) are already blaming themselves for the assault having taken place,” she said.
“Being able to come forward takes a great amount of courage, and people may be not coming forward to protect themselves because they fear there is going to be future harm or other traumas are going to be put upon them by the community itself, so it’s really important those avenues of trust and those safe spaces where people can come forward.”
Anyone with information on either case is asked to contact Lethbridge police by calling 403-328-4444 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
