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CALGARY - Calgary police say alcohol was a factor in a first date between a 12-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy who met on a social networking site and then followed up Monday with a sexual encounter witnessed by their friends.
"This was not a mob attack on a child walking through the park," said Staff Sgt. Leah Barber from the Calgary Police Service Child Abuse Unit.
"This was a group of youths who knew each other, who had been consuming alcohol, and a sexual act took place.
"Obviously whenever you mix alcohol and youth, that's usually a disaster waiting to happen. And so in this case I don't think the alcohol helped any."
Police received a 911 call late Monday afternoon to Clarence Sansom School after a report that a sexual assault was in progress in a nearby school field. Initial reports from neighbours had suggested a sinister scene involving a young girl being brutally attacked by an older boy in front of a group of young people who were filming the encounter.
When officers arrived, 10 youths were in the bleachers in the field. The group included the 12- and 16-year-old and eight of their friends.
Sexual assault charges are pending against the male youth because the girl was not legally able to give informed consent and because the boy is four years older than she is.
The friends are considered to be witnesses, not offenders, Barber said Tuesday. There was no indication they "encouraged" a sexual attack.
The 911 call came from adults who were watching from the nearby school.
"I never condemn anybody for not intervening in a case like this, where you're witnessing something occur where there are numerous people possibly involved when you're watching from afar," said Barber.
"They might have felt threatened or fearful that they would be attacked."
A spokesman from the Calgary Board of Education defended the actions of those in the school.
"All I can says is I don't believe the Calgary police would ever counsel someone to intervene in a crime if it could place their lives in danger," said Ted Flitton.
Barber said police have not had a chance to interview the girl, who has been turned over to her parents.
If charges are laid against the 16-year-old, they would likely be sexual interference and sexual assault. Barber said charges are "pending" until police have a chance to consult with Crown prosecutors.
A cellphone belonging to one of the youths was checked, but no photos or video have been recovered.
Barber said there doesn't appear to be any evidence the girl was calling for help. She said there is a lesson to be learned from the entire encounter.
"Because chat sites are so normal for (youths), they don't really think about the fact this could be a dangerous event.
