THUNDER BAY -- Police are investigating a possible hate crime after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted and abducted last week.
A 36-year-old woman was walking near Blucher Avenue on Dec. 27 around 9 p.m. when a green, two-door vehicle approached her. According to a release by Christi Belcourt, a citizen speaking on behalf of the woman’s family, two Caucasian men began throwing items and racial slurs at the victim.
She was then grabbed by the hair and forced into the vehicle where she was taken to a wooded area that police say was somewhere near County Boulevard.
The two men, who police describe as being in their mid-30s, allegedly sexually assaulted, beat and strangled the woman before leaving her in the area.
Belcourt’s statement alleges that the two men told the woman that it wasn’t the first time they’d done something like that and it wouldn’t be the last.
The woman, who is First Nations, was also told that First Nations didn’t deserve treaty rights and made references to recent Idle No More protests.
Police say they are still working with the woman to determine the details of the incident.
Thunder Bay Police Service acting Det. Insp. Don Lewis said the force has at least six investigators on the case.
Along with the criminal investigation branch, the fact that the attack may have been racially motivated will also involve the department’s intelligence section.
“That takes it in a different direction based on what’s reported,” Lewis said.
As for whether there could be other attacks like it, Lewis said it’s hard to tell.
“There’s nothing to indicate that it’s a serial thing although there’s nothing to discount it either,” he said.
The police are urging caution however. Lewis said that people always need to be cognizant of their surroundings and try to stick to well-lit areas.
“The advice of not walking by yourself if possible is always a good one,” he said referring to earlier calls by First Nations groups for women to stay safe.
