Community must pull together after Sexual Assault Case. With comments below.
Posted on 10 February 2012
UPDATED 10/02/12 – MORE COMMENTS RECEIVED -By Ken Herar. When a crime of sexual assault occurs and when different races are involved it can potentially divide a community. Last week on Thursday, Feb 2nd a 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by two men in Abbotsford.
The 19-year-old victim was walking along the sidewalk at about 7 p.m. when she saw a newer-model white pickup truck pass her twice as she headed east toward a bus stop. Two South Asian men were inside the vehicle.
As the woman approached the intersection, the male passenger exited the truck, grabbed the victim and pushed her into the rear seat of the truck. The driver parked the vehicle a short distance away and both men sexually assaulted her. She was then pushed out of the truck and onto the ground in a parking lot in the area of Gladys Avenue.
Cst. Ian MacDonald, from the Abbotsford Police Department said the victim, who was severely traumatized, made her way home and did not disclose the incident until the next day. He said she has been offered specialized victim assistance through Abbotsford Community Services.
A very unfortunate situation such as what has happened to this woman, has to be closely monitored by the entire community. There is simply no excuse for this. Praying on innocent people on our public streets is disgraceful. As a South Asian man, my heart goes out to this woman, her family and friends. I’m terribly sorry this has happened to you. I want you to know that I, as well as the rest of the South Asian community stand behind you and support you during this most difficult time. These two individuals don’t represent our community and we’ll make every effort to make sure these people are put behind bars.
Devious acts shouldn’t taint a specific community. I’ve been hearing various comments over this past week regarding this incident. Many have been very supportive regarding what this woman has endured, however, others people’s comments have the potential to divide the community. Here is what one person said on Facebook: “Time to start deporting these people that are not born in Canada & strip them of Canadian citizenship or send them to jail for 99 years if born here!” I responded with this: That’s a pretty racist remark to make. Sorry to say. Not everyone of color is always an immigrant or a criminal. Think about it.”
At the end of the day, there are good and bad in all races. When we speak about diversity, the one thing we have in common is that we all stand up against people who commit criminal acts and believe in public safety.
Diversity is also about reaching out together and trying to help one another at a time where someone or some family may need it. There may be set backs at times, however, it’s moments such as these where we can come to the realization that we’re all really one people living under one big umbrella.
Anyone with information or the knowledge of the whereabouts of these two individuals, please contact your local police authorities.
February 10th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
These deviants are scum. WHEN they are caught and tried they deserve the strictest punishment allowable under Canada’s lax sexual assault laws. In addition to that, if it is found that they are not Canadian citizens, they need to be deported to their country of origin after serving their sentences.
I believe the facebook comment the writer was referring to is not only racist but an ill educated position as well. Having said that, I strongly believe in deporting criminals who do not possess Canadian citizenship i.e landed immigrant or refugee status because that protects Canadians of all races.
If I’m not mistaken I think that has already happened with a couple of street racing killings.
Lastly, I would encourage Abbotsford residents to help this 19-year-old woman by posting sketches of the beasts around town. Someone somewhere has to have seen something and/or recognize the faces.
Thinking of the survivor.
February 10th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
These are two individuals, who need help and
no one can say race played a part in the assault,
until,we get the facts.
Various different reasons for the assault can be
listed, but, people need to keep things in
perspective, realizing that this incident is only
about the people involved in this incident and no
other people, race or culture.
February 10th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Deceit in Drugs, I disagree with the following in your comment: “These are two individuals, who need help”. They used their penis as weapons. Their attack was predatory. They knew what they were doing. Anyone who commits a crime so haenous is beyond help.
However, I do agree that this is not about race. Race, is always a scapegoat for the weak and uneducated. Simply put this is about a crime committed against a nineteen-year-old woman.