More ugly details of Jake Virtanen’s sexual assault emerge

The Canucks forward is being sued over alleged sexual assault.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 2 years ago
More ugly details of Jake Virtanen’s sexual assault emerge
Zuma Press

On Monday, a civil lawsuit has been filed alleging that Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen sexually assaulted a young woman.

The statement therefore revealed some ugly details, which allege Virtanen took the woman to a hotel in West Vancouver in September 2017 and assaulted her as the woman repeatedly said no and pleaded with him to stop.

The civil claim alleges when they entered the room, “Virtanen came up behind the plaintiff and began kissing her neck and putting his hands all over her body. The plaintiff allegedly shrugged Virtanen off.” The civil claim alleges Virtanen “became more persistent in his attempt to have sex with the plaintiff.” The woman claims in her court filings that she told Virtanen “no.” 

“Given Virtanen’s height, body weight and superior strength, the plaintiff was powerless and was unable to force Virtanen off of her,” the documents allege. “Virtanen proceeded to push open the plaintiff’s legs and to have sexual intercourse with the plaintiff without the plaintiff’s consent.”

“I couldn’t believe that I said no and he didn’t take that for an answer,” she says. “I felt violated and gross and wanted to leave.”

The information comes from many media outlets including the Canadien Press, who have studied the court documents: The statement of claim says the woman, identified only by her initials, suffered physical and emotional damages, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and repeated and ongoing nightmares.

The Canucks placed Virtanen on leave on May 1, saying in a statement that the team “does not accept sexual misconduct of any kind and the claims as reported are being treated very seriously.’’