UPDATE: Community helps RCMP with grad party sexual assault investigation

(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)

June 20, 2013 - 2:01 PM

UPDATE: 1:43 p.m. June 20, 2013

KAMLOOPS - Police are saying they're very happy with the co-operation they've received from the community as the investigation into an alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl continues.

The report of the assault came following a graduation bush party at Tree Flats In Barnhartvale June 18. Kamloops RCMP Corp. Cheryl Bush says police have since received information and photos taken at the party.

"Investigators are reviewing the photos in order to determine if there are any that hold evidentiary value that will advance the investigation," Bush says. "With assistance from the public, this high priority investigation is proceeding, with all information received being immediately followed up on."

2:01 p.m. June 19, 2013

POLICE SUSPECT PHOTOS WERE TAKEN

KAMLOOPS - Mounties are looking to parents and teens to expose evidence—photographs—of a sexual assault at a 1,000-person bush party at Tree Flats in Barnhartvale last night.

Dealing with the partiers was job enough, according to RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Cheryl Bush, but a far more serious allegation of a sexual assault in public has police more concerned this morning.

"A 17-year-old female had gone home from the party and reported the incident to her parents," Bush said. "It was reported that she had become separated from her friends and was approached by a male unknown to her, who eventually took her into the bush area and sexually assaulted her."

RCMP are reaching out to potential witnesses, expecting that photos were taken. They worry the photos will end up on the Internet, further victimizing the girl.

"The victim indicates there were several people around," she said. "We've seen cases similar to this in the past.... We really want to see this case develop differently."

Police believe someone saw something. While Bush revealed no details as to a suspect, they believe him to be a 'teenage male' unknown to the victim.

"Police are following up on all information that's come up at this point," Bush said.

She urges anyone with information—not just photographs—to contact local RCMP at 250-828-3000.

"Do the right thing," Bush said. "Talk to your peers, come forward to police."

And for those who have evidence of the crime and wrongfully distribute it, police are saying they've been warned of charges that may include possession and distribution of child pornography.

"We can trace those photos," Bush said.

To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca, call: (250) 319-7494 or tweet: @jess__wallace.