THUNDER BAY - A suspicious male detained by Thunder Bay Police at Lakehead University has been released.
According to a release issued by the Thunder Bay Police Service, officers were called to reports of a suspicious male at the Chancellor Paterson Library shortly after 6:30 p.m. Friday evening.
Based on a description provided by a female who first made the report, officers located and detained a male for further questioning.
"As a result the officers did speak to the male and the conclusion was that there were going to be no criminal charges laid at this time and the male did leave and was escorted by officers off the property and the female was supported by university staff," said Const. Julie Tilbury, Thunder Bay Police Service spokesperson.
The incident was closed after a follow-up review by the criminal investigation branch.
In late 2016, at least two incidents were reported of women being recorded with a cell phone without consent at the library on the LU campus in October and November.
Sherri-Lee Petrie, coordinator with the Gender Issues Centre at Lakehead University, said students are more nervous and more vigilant now following incidents at the library in late 2016.
"I think students are always going to be more nervous or vigilant anytime anything takes place," she said. "It’s a natural response to be hyper-vigilant after you suspect or have something actually impact you that is traumatic."
Petrie has been in contact with the survivor of the previous incidents in 2016, who is working closely with the office of Human Rights and Equity at Lakehead.
"My reaction is very similar to the survivor I have been working with and that is that obviously we are disappointed that no charges have been made," Petrie said. "We’re disappointed but we also want to make sure that charges get laid to the right person and that right charges are being laid."
Tilbury added that previous incidents at the Lakehead University library have brought Friday's incident to light, but clarified there is nothing to suggest that the incidents are linked based on the information they have.
"People need to understand that each individual incident must be taken on the merits of its own and we can’t just lump similar type incidents into being connected," she said. "Investigations have to be done appropriately and hopefully at the end of the day we will end up with the right result and keeping everyone safe."
Tilbury did commend the woman who reported the incident on Friday,
"In this situation, this young lady was uncomfortable and she did the right thing, she reached out for some help," she said. "The help was given and a conclusion was come to based on all the information available at this time."
The first communications bulletin issued by Lakehead University on Friday stated a male was taken into custody following reports of voyeurism at the LU library.
Officials with Lakehead University did not provide comment on the incident.
