The University of British Columbia welcomed news of the RCMP release of a composite drawing of a suspect that may be linked to six sexual assaults on its Vancouver campus.
Efforts were being made to immediately distribute this as broadly as possible across the campus via UBC’s Stay Safe web site, mass e-mail, and throughout student residences and other campus buildings.
“This is an important development,” said VP Students Louise Cowin. “These attacks have become our top priority, and we hope this RCMP drawing will lead to a break in the case. We are asking all members of our community to provide any information they can to help the RCMP find the perpetrator.”
“We are again urging the public to contact us with any and all information that may assist in identifying this suspect. Since we opened the tip line, we have received approximately 20 tips that the BC RCMP Major Crimes Section are pursuing,” said Sgt. Peter Thiessen, Lower Mainland District RCMP Spokesperson. “Please continue to use every precaution to ensure your personal safety when walking alone through the campus in the evening and remain vigilant of your surroundings.”
UBC is asking the campus and broader community to view the drawing, and provide any tips to RCMP tip lines: 778.290.5291 or 1.877.543.4822.
In addition to extra resources the RCMP has devoted to the investigation, UBC continues with its enhanced security and support services. Among its actions, UBC has beefed up Campus Security patrols security around student residences, continued to help promote AMS Safewalk and a new RezWalk program, and is proactively responding to concerns over lighting. It also continues to promote AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre services and has increased availability of UBC Counselling Services. View a complete list of resources and actions at http://www.ubc.ca/staysafe.