Police investigate violent sexual assault in downtown Victoria

A man who sexually assaulted a woman in the early hours of Friday morning is still at large, according to Victoria Police.

According to police, the woman was approached by an unknown man at the intersection of Wharf Street and Johnson Street around 2:30 a.m. and then taken to a green area at Wharf Street and Pandora Avenue next to the statue of large tulips known as the “Commerce Canoe.”

The woman was threatened and then physically and sexually attacked, police said.

After the attack, she ran to a group of people nearby and the suspect fled.

An extensive police search did not lead to the man being found.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward. They have also asked for cellphone, dashboard and CCTV footage.

Contact Victoria Police at 250-995-7654, extension 1, or report anonymously to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

“It takes enormous courage to report sexual crimes and cases of sexual violence are often underreported,” the police said in a statement. “Our message to victims of sexual violence remains: we believe you and we are here to support you.”

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