Police were called to a nightclub in downtown Vancouver Sunday night after reports of a woman being attacked and sexually assaulted in a washroom.
Officers confirm a 16-year-old boy was taken into custody inside the club following the assault.
Officers arrived at the Encore Dance Club on Granville Street just after 11 p.m. It is unclear how the incident started. The victim was taken to hospital in stable condition.
On Monday, a family member of the 17-year-old victim spoke to Global News. She said:
“A young man made the decision to harm her in the most violating and violent way possible, something that no one should ever have to experience.
“He gave no consideration to the impact it would have on this beautiful young woman and the family and friends that love her so much. She is now left to deal with an unbearable amount of physical and emotional pain, pain that none of us can ease. This pain and trauma is something that she will have to carry with her forever.
“We ask that this young man receive the strictest enforcement of the law as he too should have to bear the burden of consequences that result from his most selfish and horrific behaviour.”
Dave Kershaw of Encore Dance Club said the incident occurred during an alcohol-free grad event for a high school on the North Shore. He said nothing like this has ever happened at the club before and they are cooperating with the investigation.
The family member of the victim questions why staff at the club didn’t do more.
“She was screaming. There were people there that were supposed to be doing their job.”
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