Ottawa Police have charged a man with sexual assault after 3 women were inappropriately touched at Carleton University. All three women worked on campus. The man accused is a student there. The assaults happened in elevators on campus; two attacks this past Tuesday and another back in March.
Police arrested 26 year old Mohamed Daoud on campus yesterday after one of the victims saw the man she says assaulted her. She went to campus security who then called police.
"Throughout the investigation,” says Constable Marc Soucy with the Ottawa Police, “in talking to witnesses and that about whether there were other victims, two more came forward and we think there may be more.”
Daoud is charged with 3 counts of sexual assault. He was released on bail today. In a statement, Carleton University said he is now banned from the campus.
“Please be advised that a 26-year-old man was banned today from Carleton University’s campus after being charged yesterday by the Ottawa Police Service in relation to three incidents of inappropriate touching,” the statement read. “The ban is effective immediately. Carleton University takes the safety of its students, faculty and staff very seriously and implemented the ban the day after charges were laid. The university has in place a number of robust measures to ensure the campus community is protected.”
“It’s shocking for a campus and also kind of scary,” said first year student Caitlin Morin.
Students returning to school and those just starting out say the assaults leave them feeling uneasy.
"This is supposed to be a place where you're safe, where you hang out and go to school,” adds student Emily d’Orazio, “and you're worrying that you need someone attached to you, looking out for each other, it is truly terrifying.”
"We definitely don't want people to feel afraid to go out and live their lives normally,” says Tara Henderson with the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre.
The Rape Crisis Centre along with the Coalition to End Violence Against Women just launched a campaign this week targeting sexual violence on Ottawa campuses. It's called "Just Got Weird" and is aimed at getting students talking about potentially dangerous situations and what to do about them.
"Assaults happen on campuses,” adds Abigail Kidd, the Sexual Assault Outreach coordinator with the Graduate Students’ Association at Carleton University. “They are hubs of sexual violence. This isn't an indication this is a less safe space.”
The Sexual Assault Centre says the first eight weeks on campus tend to be when most sexual assaults occur. Most of those attacks tend to be someone known to the victim.
You can check out the #JustGotWeird campaign at www.justgotweird.com
Police believe there are more victims. They are asking people to contact them if they have any information to provide at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944 or call Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS) or toll-free at 1-800-222-8477.
