Police investigating alleged sexual assaults on N.S. campus

Police in Nova Scotia say two men have been arrested after two women were allegedly sexually assaulted on a university campus.

Two men were arrested on Wednesday after an 18-year-old woman alleged she was sexually assaulted on the campus of St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish the previous weekend, according to RCMP.

Police said in a statement that a second 19-year-old woman came forward during the investigation and alleged that one of the suspects had sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions - once in September and once in November.

They said a 19-year-old man has been charged with three counts of sexual assault, and charges against an 18-year-old man are pending.

Both men have been released from police custody on conditions and are scheduled to appear in Antigonish provincial court in January.

Police said the investigations are ongoing.

St. Francis Xavier University Vice-President Andrew Beckett said the university is conducting its own investigation into the allegations.

Beckett said the four individuals involved are students at the school. None of them have been identified by university officials or police.

One of the suspects has been suspended from the school, Beckett said, and the other is allowed on campus only to attend classes.

Beckett said the 18-year-old woman came forward to the university about last weekend’s alleged assault last Sunday, and

“We’re also starting to see quite a rallying around of students really seeing this as an opportunity to elevate the conservation around sexualized violence and to really rally amongst the victims.” St. Francis Xavier University Vice-President Andrew Beckett

decided to report the incident to the RCMP later in the week.

The incident is alleged to have occurred at a university residence, Beckett said.

One of the suspects was arrested in a “very public” manner at a campus residence on Wednesday, according to Beckett.

“We live in an age of social media,” Beckett said in an interview. “I’m sure from there, word got out very quickly amongst the student body.”

He said the university heard “rumblings” that additional allegations may be forthcoming, but only learned that another woman had come forward when police reported it on Friday.

He said the university is not aware of any other incidents.

Beckett said the university’s primary focus is to support the women involved and ensure the safety of the campus community.

“In terms of the reaction on campus, there is disappointment. I think potentially amongst some, would be still disbelief,” Beckett said. “We’re also starting to see quite a rallying around of students really seeing this as an opportunity to elevate the conservation around sexualized violence and to really rally amongst the victims.”