Female Walker assaulted in Toronto

On November 5^th, local news reported that a woman was sexually assaulted by two men shortly after midnight, while she was walking near Crosby Avenue and Newkirk Road, east of Young Street in Toronto.  The two attackers searched her belongings, threw her onto the ground and then sexually assaulted her.  The two men are believed to be about 16 and 25 years old.

This latest assault is unfortunately not the only incident of this nature that occurred in Toronto in 2016.  Two woman were assaulted in the Brookbanks Park area earlier in the year.  Another woman was walking her dog at 9:30 in the morning, in the Laurentide and Tree Valleys Drive area, when she realized that she was being followed by a man, who turned and left the scene when the woman’s dog began barking.  The description of the suspect in this latter incident matched the description for the earlier assaults in the same area.

Assaults on walkers and joggers are certainly not unique to Toronto; they can and do happen throughout North America.  Although the victims are, in most cases, female, sometimes men are also attacked while jogging or walking. And, while the risk of being assaulted increases during darkness and certainly, in less populated areas, people have been assaulted during stark daylight.  This is such an unfortunate situation, as walking and jogging are healthy activities that should be encourage and in which Canadians should be able to partake without fear of injury. However, even in countries such as Canada and among the safest nations in the world, there is an element of risk.

There are a number of actions that walkers and joggers can take to reduce the likelihood of being assaulted or hurt.   However, although it’s always a good idea to remain vigilant for our safety, let’s never forget that it’s the attacker or negligent person who bears the blame in injury, not the victim.

• Avoid running or walking alone in secluded areas and if possible, at night.
• If you know that you will be jogging or walking in a less populated area, take pepper spray.
• If you see anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and leave the area immediately.
• Don’t listen to music while running in a high-risk area, for example, in less populated or high traffic areas.
• At night, wear florescent and light clothing, and stick to known routes where you’re less likely to trip on obstacles or encounter unexpected dangers.
• Always take a cell phone.
• Tell someone where you will be running or walking, before leaving your home.
• Change your route periodically. If you always take the same route, you are more vulnerable to stalkers or others who may be waiting to do you harm.
• Particularly during dusk or darkness, always cross streets at intersections and monitor for traffic before crossing; don’t assume that cars will see you.

The key practices in the interests of safe walking or running include: remaining aware of your surroundings, trusting your gut instincts, and staying within shouting distance of people who might be able to help in case of emergency.  These tips are not new revelations; they are instilled in our daughters and girls from an early age, and they’re not just useful while running; these tips apply in many ‘at risk’ situations.  However, it’s very important to emphasize that it’s not the victims who bear fault in an assault, and it’s erroneous to suggest that that is the case.  And, even though these incidents are fortunately fairly rare in the province of Ontario, it’s still a good idea to practice strategies that may reduce the risk of suffering injury due to an assault.

If you or a loved one were injured by a negligent driver or in an assault, call an experienced Scarborough pedestrian accident lawyer.   In a no-obligation consultation, our compassionate and knowledgeable lawyers will assess the facts of your case and advise you on your best legal options for obtaining deserved compensation in a civil action.  Call our office today -- the initial consultation is generally free and provides a great opportunity to have all your questions answered.