Among other things, a boy lured on social media in late April was assaulted by a group of drunk teenagers in Stanley Park before being found bloodied and walking on the seawall.
In the neighborhood of Kerrisdale, a 19-year-old boy was pepper sprayed and had his backpack stolen by a group of six youths. He ran home and told a family member, but the suspects had left the scene before the police were notified.
” A number of teenagers have already been injured, and we fear that the violence will escalate further. »
Break the silence and denounce
The police believe that many young people who experience these attacks do not have the courage or the instinct to report them and denounce their assailants.
This is particularly the case of a teenager at whom a pellet gun was pointed, while he was sitting on the steps of the Museum of Fine Arts in Vancouver. The incident was only reported to police several hours later when museum staff viewed the security video. The victim never came forward and the suspect was not identified.
” We urge young people to come forward if they are being abused or if they have information that could save someone else from being caught in a dangerous situation. »
the VPD is trying to identify the victim and the suspect, and would like this code of silence to end.
Parents are therefore asked to talk with their children about bullying and violence. On the other hand, teens with information about a crime are strongly urged to call the police or seek help from someone they trust if they or someone they know is being targeted.
Humiliating and degrading rituals
In addition to assaults, VPD also warns parents and young people about a worrying trend. Groups of teenagers assault and film their victims as part of humiliating and degrading bullying rituals
.
Typically, they surround an isolated victim, then punch, kick, and slap her until she falls to the ground. She is then forced to kiss her attackers’ shoes.
Police point out that videos of these attacks are sometimes posted online.
” These incidents don’t just cause physical harm, they can lead to deep-seated emotional trauma that leaves permanent scars. »
However, the sergeant points out that the nature of these incidents often dissuades victims from coming forward, as they fear retaliation and further humiliation
.
Raising awareness within the community
Since the last break week, the VPD also encountered a disturbing number of young people armed with toy guns, pepper spray, brass knuckles and machetes near schools and in the community.
Police say they have increased the number of targeted patrols and continued awareness programs in a bid to prevent more violence and encourage victims to come forward.
The Vancouver Police Department’s Youth Services Section has set up a hotline for anyone with information about the Stanley Park and Kerrisdale attacks, or the gun incident at the Art Gallery. -Vancouver arts.
Anyone who has not yet spoken to police is asked to dial (604) 717 – 0614.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca