RCMP charge 21-year-old male with sex assault, give women tips on keeping safe

IQALUIT, Nunavut — The RCMP are reminding women to “be vigilant and keep safe” after a 21-year-old man in a northern community was arrested and charged with sexual assault.

Mounties say they responded to a call last week in Clyde River, Nunavut, but when they arrived on the scene, the assailant attempted to flee and they had to chase him down.

Mark Paneak of Clyde River is charged with sexual assault, break and enter, and resisting arrest.

Insp. Dean Warr says the RCMP is reminding women to “keep your eyes and ears open and your hands free.”

Warr says it is important to be alert to who and what is around you, adding that talking on a cell phone or listening to headphones “makes you an easy target for criminals.”

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He also recommends limiting what is carried in the hands by using a backpack or a bag with a shoulder strap.

“This will ensure that your hands are free to defend yourself at all times,” he says in a news release.

“We know women aren’t to blame for tragic assaults but we nevertheless want to make sure we’re doing everything in our power to stay safe.”

The Canadian Press