Locals rally in support of Penticton assault victim

Local residents are organizing a concert fundraiser in support of a former co-worker who was the victim of a sexual assault that allegedly took place at a Penticton second-hand shop over the August long weekend.

The victim, who can’t be named, is a former St. Albert resident who worked for a year at the local Original Joe’s.

“We really just want to raise some money and show our support so she’s able to get back on the right track,” said event organizer Jamie Ferland, a bartender at the St. Albert restaurant and a former co-worker to the victim.

“She’s a hard worker, a great mother and a wicked friend. She cares about her family more than anything,” Ferland said.

On Thursday night, six local musical acts will perform at the Taphouse in St. Albert, with money raised through donations and a 50-50 draw.

The attack made headlines after the 22-year-old mother was allegedly bound in the back room and severely beaten in the presence of her 22-month-old son. The victim was discovered 15 hours later with extensive injuries while her son was left otherwise unharmed. The victim is unable to work for an undeterminable amount of time due to the physical and physiological trauma she has endured.

The alleged attack led to a highly-publicized manhunt for the store owner, David Wesley Bobbitt, who police have since arrested and charged with attempted murder.

A server at Original Joe’s discovered through Facebook that the victim was a former St. Albert co-worker, which led to the musical fundraiser.

“We started this last Thursday,” explained Ferland. “We went door to door to many local businesses and restaurants and they were very generous with their donations.”

Organizers have also been spreading the word at work, through friends and family and on Facebook, he said.

Jeff Meszaros worked with the victim at Original Joe’s and is also a member of the band The Whytes, which will be playing Thursday night. He wanted to help any way he can.

“She’s an amazing person as well as an amazing friend,” he said. “Volunteering at this event will hopefully help her out in some way. I’d like to think that someone would do the same for me if I were in her position.”

The victim was unavailable for comment. Over the weekend she attended a 200-person rally for her in Penticton, where she told CTV News that her condition is improving after suffering severe cuts to her head.

“I’m doing good . . . I’m not getting dizzy spells anymore or anything like that. I’m getting better and I’m getting more and more energy every day,” she said.

The St. Albert fundraiser will be held at The St. Albert Taphouse this Thursday night. The event includes a silent auction, live music from five bands and one solo act as well as a 50-50 draw. All proceeds will go towards helping the victim and her family.