A 16-year-old boy has been charged with aggravated sexual assault and forcible confinement in connection with an assault that happened at a downtown Vancouver nightclub Sunday night.
Police were called to the Encore Dance Club on Granville Street just after 11 p.m. after reports of a 17-year-old woman being attacked and sexually assaulted in a washroom. The victim was taken to hospital in stable condition.
Vancouver Police spokesperson Brian Montague says their investigation continues, and they are in the process of talking to multiple witnesses and reviewing surveillance video from the area.
“It is not something we see a lot in Vancouver,” said Montague. “Unfortunately, we do have a large number of sexual assaults, but they don’t often get to this level of violence.”
The teen is also facing a new sexual assault charge, following a separate complaint. It’s believed the second incident happened in October.
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 16-year-old suspect remains in police custody.
~With files from Amy Judd and Jon Azpiri