Warning: This story contains graphic content. Discretion is advised. Watch above: While most on the Red Mile were in a celebratory mood on Saturday, one woman says she was groped and threatened. Jill Croteau reports.
CALGARY – A Calgary Flames fan says she was groped Saturday night following the first-round series win as thousands of people filled the Red Mile. Minutes later, she was attacked again, and her boyfriend was threatened when he tried to protect her.
“Everybody’s high fiving and it’s all great, and a guy puts out his hand to high five, and I’m not about to high five him, so he lowers it and grabs my breast right when we walked by,” said a Calgary woman, whose name has been removed from this story due to personal safety issues.
She says she was watching the game at Loungeburger and wanted to show her boyfriend—who’s from Vancouver—the crush of fans along 17 Avenue during the Flames playoff games. She said in the moment, she just wanted to keep walking.
But just a few blocks later, a man bumped into her, so she turned to look at him. That’s when he jumped on her back and started grabbing her.
“And then he says, ‘I’m going to f-ing stab you’ to him.”
The woman said she and her boyfriend quickly turned off of 17 Ave. and walked down another road to get away from the people.
“It was awful.”
READ MORE: #SafeRedMile? Obscene FHRITP trend spurs ‘pussy cats consent’ team
The Flames fan said she didn’t report it to police because officers were busy dealing with other incidents, like bottles being smashed on the road. She said she was upset and just wanted to go home—since she was close to her house.
Women shouldn’t have to choose between cheering for the Flames and feeling safe, says Karla Ravela with the Consent Awareness and Sexual Education Club.
“So many times women don’t feel comfortable coming forward reporting anything because the culture that we’re in will always be asking: ‘What was she wearing? Why was she even at the Red Mile?’ We’re victim-blaming and that’s not okay,” Ravela said. “When someone says, ‘I’ve been groped, I’ve been harassed’…we need to support them and we need to foster that culture.
“For someone to hear that they’re being supported, that we believe them—that’s huge. And that’s going to be what changes the culture.”
Police have encouraged people to come forward with any reports of assault, and have ramped up their presence and security measures such as parking restrictions in light of the crowds who are frequenting the Red Mile.
READ MORE: No parking on the Red Mile for rest of Flames playoff games
The changes come in the wake of increased calls to the city and police to keep 17 Ave. safe. One group of locals created a Facebook group called The Pussy cats consent awareness team on Red Mile to combat recent incidents.
Police say overall, they’re pleased with the behaviour on Saturday night but will continue to have a presence on 17 Ave. throughout the second round of the Flames playoff run.
But this Flames fan says she won’t be going to 17 Ave. alone after any of the games.
“I live down there so I can’t escape it…I know 90 per cent are just celebrating, they want to have a good time—everybody loves the Flames. I love the Flames,” she said.
“But then you get the sour ones that aren’t down there to celebrate, they’re down there to see what they can get away with.”
READ MORE: Bob Hartley calls Red Mile behaviour ‘stupid’ as Flames playoff security increases
With a report from Jill Croteau
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