Teenagers who have gone to parties advertised on Facebook, similar to one where a 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by an older man, are being asked to come forward and talk to police.
Parents are also being asked by the police to monitor their kids’ activities on social networking sites, and to ask them if they have been to parties like the one where the assault was alleged.
“At this point, the RCMP are trying to determine if there have been more parties like this or if this was an isolated incident,” Cpl. Tammy Hollingsworth said.
In an earlier news release, the Chilliwack RCMP reported that a “disturbing trend” appeared to be occurring in the Fraser Valley, of older men advertising parties on Facebook, and then supplying young party-goers with liquor to lower their resistance to sexual attacks.
But Const. Tracy Wolbeck later clarified that the “disturbing trend” referred to reports last year of “LG parties” or little girl parties hosted by older males who used alcohol or drugs to lure underage girls into sex acts.
So far, only one girl has alleged she was sexually attacked at a Feb. 22 party, which had been advertised on Facebook by a 32-year-old man.
The accused male has not been charged, and was released on a promise to appear later in court.
But Hollingsworth said a news release that “police have reason to believe there have been other parties of this nature, and that pictures may have been posted on Facebook.”
She also said that “conversations have been made” about the parties between the accused male and some youth.
Anyone who wants to report an incident, or has information about the party where the alleged attack took place, is asked to call the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
The RCMP have created a website with basic internet safety and tips for parents at:
http://bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=87&languageId=1&contentId=4399
