Allegations of two separate brutal sex assaults have been reported to Central Alberta Aids Network.
The women involved tell of kidnapping and repeated assaults over the course of a night.
Two young women, who do not know each other, reported being taken by a man early in an evening to an unknown location and being repeatedly sexually assaulted.
Details on the location or locations are vague.
Both incidents happened recently, starting at apartments near the core of the city.
CAANS hopes that by warning people that these assaults took place, they can prevent more people from becoming victims.
Both women reported that after using street drugs and leaving the respective buildings, they were snatched by a large man and thrown into the back of a vehicle.
Jennifer Vandershaeghe, Central Alberta AIDS Network executive director, said one of the women taken was a sex worker.
“Because this was an abduction of someone who was more vulnerable, it was really important to get this information out,” said Vandershaeghe.
“This is clearly something that could happen again.”
They were taken to a location, a house or apartment, where they reported they were repeatedly sexually assaulted. One woman said there were multiple men in the vehicle that was used to abduct her and both said there were multiple men at the location where they were repeatedly assaulted.
Both said they felt they were further drugged and have little or no recollection of the events. Both were left in front of the same downtown location the following morning.
“Kidnapped and then taken to someone’s place, kept there overnight, continued to be drugged,” said Vandershaeghe, adding both these reported instances are especially violent.
“And organized, so that is pretty scary.”
The abductor is described as a large, tall black man in his 20s or 30s. He has black hair and dark eyes. He was wearing a leather jacket.
Bad Date Book Red Deer allows anyone to fill out a report if they have come in harm’s way or has knowledge of a dangerous situation. That includes sex workers, outreach workers or anyone who experiences or hears of a bad date.
Vandershaeghe said they don’t need a first person account, they just want the story so they can warn people. Bad date reports can be filed through the CAANS website, www.caans.org, or by calling CAANS at 403-346-8858. There is also a Facebook group as well, called Red Deer Bad Date Book.
Red Deer City RCMP said they have been notified of the bad date report.
However, neither woman wanted to talk with the RCMP and, as a result, no police files have been created.
The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre was unable to comment or confirm the assaults.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com