Saanich Police are investigating three 13-year-old boys for sexually harassing and inappropriately touching a 16-year-old girl while inside the Galey Farms corn maze.
According to the mother of the victim – who have both asked to remain anonymous – the incident took place at around 9:20 p.m. on Friday, October 25th.
See also: Woman sexuallly assaulted after break and enter in Colwood Wednesday afternoon
She says the three boys were running around the maze together, yelling “You’re hot” to girls as they passed them.
One of the boys was behind the victim when he asked her if he could grab her butt, and without waiting for a response, allegedly proceeded to do so without consent.
“I turned and could not do much as they were just kids. Security helped me locate them after discussing the situation, they continued to supervise the kids as they called the police on my behalf,” the victim’s mother tells Victoria Buzz.
“My daughter refused to go back in the maze and is emotionally hurt. This is our one [favourite] thing that we do together every year and it’s been ruined by young boys who think it’s ok to talk to and touch girls without permission.”
Seeking witnesses and possible victims
Saanich Police media spokesperson Detective Staff Sergeant Chris Horsley confirmed the incident, stating that all three boys were detained by police in the aftermath of the incident, and their investigation is currently ongoing.
“The nature of the actual assault involved inappropriate behaviour and touching on the part of one or potentially more of the three males, and police are attempting to determine which of the parties was responsible,” says Det. Staff Sgt. Horsley.
“It’s behaviour that’s absolutely unacceptable.”
Officers believe there may be one or more parties that have yet to step forward with information, or that new witnesses may come to light. Any such witnesses are asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321.
The mother of the victim who reported the incident with her daughter is left wondering if the boys assaulted any other girls in the same way.
“The saddest part was what the father of the boy that assaulted my daughter [supposedly] said to the police. They claimed his first comment after hearing the story was ‘She can’t prove anything’.”
