Victoria Silman | Assistant News Editor
Featured Image: A student was approached by a blonde, four-foot-nine to five-foot tall woman, and threatened with rape and robbery. | Fatema Ali
A female student was approached by a young woman in Scott Library last week, threatening to have somebody come to rape and rob her.
The incident happened in the library on November 20 at approximately 6:40 p.m. The student, who wishes to remain anonymous, says the attack was provoked by her walking slowly into the library while looking at her phone.
“This person brushes past me and says: ‘you’re walking so f—ing slow people have s— to do.’ I said, ‘this is not a race track.’ She took off her sunglasses and said ‘what did you say? I’m gonna bash your face in,’” the student says.
“I told my friend what happened, and we studied upstairs for about 40 minutes. When we went downstairs, we started working on our essays. Everything was fine and quiet. Then, in walked the girl again—it looked like she was walking around the library looking for me,” she continues.
After the suspect had found her again, she began to threaten her with violence, including rape and robbery. According to the student, the woman placed a call to an unknown person, asking them to “cover their license plate and bring the gun.”
The student also pointed out the lack of security personnel in the library at the time of the incident. “She was on the phone with the person telling them where we were and where to come, and the fact that there was no security to protect me,” she says.
The student, feeling threatened, called 911 to report the incident. When asked for a description, she tried to take a photo of the suspect, who then tried to take the student’s phone.
Once York Security was called, the woman fled the scene. According to the student, she gave her statement to York Security, but has yet to hear back from them.
The student called TPS, who informed her that the student centre does not have a ban on trespassing individuals, and the likelihood of finding the suspect—if she is not a student—is slim.
Fearing the suspect might still be looking for the her, the student expressed her fear due to the lack of security measures against trespassing individuals. “I’ve been afraid to come to school since this happened,” she says.
“I know a lot of people have been robbed. Somebody lost their laptop, their whole backpack was taken. There are people that are allowed to trespass on the property and it’s not very safe for us students.”
Chief Spokesperson and Director of Media Relations at York, Barbara Joy, says: “York takes community safety very seriously. We always strive to ensure community members feel safe and have the support and services they need.
“I can share that York Security and Toronto Police attended the scene of the incident. Toronto Police are still investigating and York Security is assisting by providing evidence on a possible suspect.”
The suspect is described as a four-foot-nine to five-foot tall caucasian woman with blond hair. At the time of the incident, she was wearing a ski mask and sunglasses.
If spotted, students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to contact TPS and York Security.
