RCMP looking into reports a number of female athletes were inappropriately touched at a Summer Games dance in Cowichan

COWICHAN (NEWS 1130) – Mounties are looking into reports of inappropriate touching at an event held during the Cowichan 2018 BC Summer Games.

S/Sgt. Annie Linteau with the BC RCMP says the investigation involves accusations that some male athletes inappropriately touched a number of female athletes at a dance at the Cowichan Exhibition Centre on Saturday, Jul. 21.

“At this point in time, it’s imperative that any potential victims or witnesses that may have seen the incident contact police so that we can investigate this matter.”

Games president Kelly Mann says about 800 to 1,000 of the more than 2,300 athletes who competed in the four-day event were at the dance where the touching is said to have occurred.

He says about 30 of the female athletes, aged between 14 and 16, complained of being touched and organizers immediately ended the dance and began gathering details.

The RCMP says it’s “mindful that these serious allegations likely involve persons under the age of 18.”

Charges have not been laid, and Linteau says no suspects have been identified.

“All we have is that we’ve heard that these allegations have been made,” she explains. “We learned about this the following morning, and so far no victims or suspects have been identified.”

The BC Games Society drafted a letter that was sent to athletes, coaches, parents and affiliated sports organizations, informing them of the situation, offering access to assistance for the young victims and setting up a confidential email to gather more information.

The RCMP is urging anyone with information about these claims, or who may have been a victim, to contact them. Though many who were attending the Summer Games may have been from out of town, Mounties are still asking people to contact the Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250.748.5522.

-With files from Denise Wong