Man 19 Arrested After Viu Student Allegedly Attacked Because Of Sexual Orientation

Nanaimo RCMP says he arrested a 19-year-old man for assault after a Vancouver University student said he was assaulted because of his sexual orientation. The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday at a house party on Old Slope Road. The teenager was released and is expected to stand trial on May 24. “Violence of any kind is unacceptable, especially when it comes to people who are said to have been targeted because of their sexual preference,” Const said. Gary O’Brien. “We are continuing this investigation aggressively and have contacted the victim to ensure that he will be supported as the investigation progresses.” Police said Tuesday they were treating the incident as a hate crime. Spencer Frey, 19, went to the hospital for treatment before reporting to police that he had been punched in the head, thrown to the ground and then punched several times. Frey, an interior design student, told CHEK News that one of the party guests called him a derogatory term and another clenched his buttocks. As he was getting ready to leave, a third male came against him from the other side of the room, he said. He said there was an exchange of words and he was punched in the face. What happened next is a blur, he said, but his friends told him that several of his men had gathered and punched him several times. His classmates helped him out of the house. He later went to the hospital and was called to the RCMP. Frey’s injuries include bruises on his face, including a black eye. He also has a scar on his neck, which he believes was caused by the attackers who pulled his T-shirt. “It’s just disgusting and it has literally hurt me; that I could have been hit because I was just myself,” he said. In a statement, the VIU said it was aware of the attack and was taking the incident “very seriously”. He said the university has been in contact with the student and his family and encouraged anyone with information to contact the RCMP. Police are continuing to investigate the incident and are asking anyone at the party to show up. Call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.