DOWNTOWN RAPES RISE DESPITE ADDED PATROLS
The number of rapes or attempted rapes in the city’s bustling downtown area continues to rise, with 18 incidents so far this year and only two arrests, police say.
Four of those assaults were “blitz rapes” — random attacks by a stranger — and 10 were allegedly committed by people known to the victims, police spokesman Sgt. Detective John Boyle told the Herald.
Three were in bars, Boyle added, but rape shield laws prohibit police from sharing more information.
“One rape is too many in any area,” Boyle added, saying he couldn’t go into any details.
Women’s advocates are putting out a warning to bar owners and college party hosts to watch for signs of possible sex assault and act on it immediately.
“Everyone, from a bouncer to kegmaster at a college party, needs to be familiar with signs of sexual violence and do something,” said Jane Doe Inc. spokeswoman Toni Troop, whose organization provides services for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
“Sexual violence is so prevalent,” she said. “We need to change the culture. We encourage people to learn the skills to step up and interrupt what could be sexual violence.”
Overall, the number of rapes or attempted rapes in Boston is down slightly from this time last year. There were 170 rapes or attempted rapes citywide this time last year compared to 163 so far this year.
But in the A1 precinct — the downtown area from the North End to Beacon Hill, the Faneuil Hall area to Chinatown, the Common, the Theatre District and Downtown Crossing — has seen 18 rapes or attempted rapes so far this year compared to 12 in the same nine-month period last year.
The data on sexual assaults was included in crime statistics for the city that shows overall crime in Boston was down 6% since Jan. 1 compared to the same period last year.
Boyle said police have continued the added patrols around the clubs downtown after the kidnapping of two young women.
A 23-year-old woman in January was abducted after spending the evening at Hennessy’s Bar on Union Street near Faneuil Hall. Chilling video showed her being gripped and led away by a 38-year-old man identified by police later as Victor Pena. He’s accused of raping her in his Charlestown apartment.
A month later, 23-yearold Jassy Correia was kidnapped after leaving the Venu Nightclub in the Theatre District. Her body was found days later in the trunk of Louis Coleman’s car in Delaware.
He has been charged with kidnapping resulting in death.
Troop said the heightened alert following the winter crimes worked, but those heading out for a night on the town need to remain vigilant. Women surveyed around the downtown area Wednesday said they still take precautions.
Seunghye Kim, 25, of Back Bay said she has felt unsafe walking home late at night. “Sometimes I get catcalls,” she said.
“I take an Uber, I try not to take the train,” Kim said. “Sometimes I would see fights and stuff so I try not to go outside after 10.”
Krista, 23, of Winthrop, who works downtown, said some friends “stay in groups or bring self-defense like pepper spray. But you never want to be in the situation where you have to use it.”
Gina Scaramella, executive director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, said a jump in rapes could also mean more women are coming forward — and the need for others to be ready to help.
Scaramella added: “The immediate public focus when numbers like this are released is often on what people can do to stay safe, but it’s equally important to focus on what communities can do to prevent sexual assault, harassment and abuse.”