A 19-year-old Nanaimo man has been charged with assaulting a Vancouver Island University student who says he was targeted because of his sexual orientation.
Ryan John Seaman, 19, has been charged with assaulting Spencer Frey, also 19, at a house party on Old Slope Road in the early hours of March 27. Seaman appeared in court May 24.
Frey said at the time of the attack that he was targeted because of his sexual orientation, and police said they were treating the assault as a hate crime.
“Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and especially when it involves individuals who have allegedly been targeted because of their sexual preference,” Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien said Monday. “We are aggressively pursuing this investigation and have reached out to the victim to ensure he is supported as the investigation progresses.”
Frey went to hospital for treatment before reporting to police that he had been punched in the head, thrown to the ground and then punched several more times. Frey had a black eye and facial bruising.
“It’s just disgusting and it’s literally left me traumatized … that I could get beat up for just being myself,” he said.
In a statement, VIU said the university has been in touch with the student and his family and it encouraged anyone with information to contact RCMP.
Seaman is set to appear in court again in mid-June.
