Sexual assault allegations mount against former real estate agents – BC News

Photo: Alanna Kelly

Warning: This story contains allegations of sexual assault that may bother some readers.

Victoria Sexual Assault Center members commend women for making sexual assault allegations against numerous real estate agents in Victoria.

“We are here for you. We believe you. We support you,” says Carissa Ropponen, manager at the center. “Thank you for coming out and talking and letting people know that this is a really serious problem, this one happened in Victoria. ”

Shocking and disturbing allegations have surfaced online from several women alleging they were allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted by men in Victoria who were real estate agents at the time.

At the time of an alleged incident in 2018, two men were working for the real estate company Engel & Volkers. The two people were employees at The Agency, a luxury real estate agent and lifestyle company, on March 25 when they were fired.

The woman, whose identity is being protected, tells Glacier Media that she was offered wine and cocaine at the real estate office.

“I don’t do cocaine. I didn’t take part in it. I don’t remember anything in probably 15 or 20 minutes. Everything went black. ”

When she woke up, she claims she was reclined in an office chair.

“My head was turned to one side and one of them was by my side, trying to stick his genitals in my mouth. I remember raising my arm and it felt so hard to raise my arm, ”she says. “I wanted to get up and my pants were down around my ankles so I fell off.”

She claims to have fainted again and when she woke up the two men allegedly both performed sexual acts on her.

“I got up and said I was going to get sick,” said her online post. “I don’t remember, but they must have taken me to the bathroom because I woke up through the toilet alone.”

A third man was employed by Engel & Volkers and was working for them at the time of another allegation. Engel & Volkers cut ties with him last Friday when the allegations surfaced online.

In this case, the woman (whose identity is also protected) claims she was invited to a luxury mansion on Beach Drive and was allegedly sexually assaulted by a “wealthy” real estate agent while attending a party.

“It was around 9pm and I wasn’t drunk at all. The next reminder I have is around 5am and I get picked up from the laundry / bathroom floor (the same one I was dragged and fondled into) and someone pulls up my pants and makes them up, ”it says a post on social media.

She claims she was put into a waiting taxi because she “couldn’t walk”.

“To this day, I know that I was drugged,” the post continues. “I had the forensic examination done at the hospital.”

The woman says she was hurt and victimized and she is now speaking out.

“It’s really scary to think about. I wouldn’t want that to ever happen to anyone else, “she says.” I didn’t have a voice. I was so black … I couldn’t defend myself, I couldn’t do anything. I didn’t have a voice. So I can take back that power to have a voice.

“That’s my truth.”

A fourth real estate agent in Victoria was sacked after allegations were also posted online.

“We can confirm that he is no longer affiliated with our firm and that he has dropped his listings in response to our request following the initial charge last week,” said Susan Froher, co-owner of the brokerage business, in a statement from the Prime Real Estate team and Remax Island Properties. “He also gave us his license.”

Glacier Media has confirmed that the other three men’s licenses were handed over to the Real Estate Council of BC by their brokers.

“As a result, they cannot offer real estate services to consumers,” says spokesman Warren Mirko. “Please note: this is different from a license suspension, which is a disciplinary sanction and is part of RECBC’s investigation and discipline process.”

In an email, both Saanich Police and Victoria Police said they cannot comment if an investigation is ongoing.

“We can only confirm that an investigation is conducted when there is an investigative purpose or a clear risk to the public,” said Bowen Osoko, spokesman for the Victoria Police.

“We can only confirm that an investigation is ongoing if there is an investigation purpose or if there is a risk to public safety,” says Const. Markus Anastasiades with the Saanich police.