Student charged with voyeurism after RCMP's alleged mishandling of initial response

WARNING: This story contains descriptions of voyeurism that might be upsetting to some readers.

A student at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan(UBCO) campus has been criminally chargedin relation to a case which according to the alleged victim was nearly derailedafter the responding RCMP officer tried to talk her out of pursuing charges out of concern for the suspect's well-being.

Sari Siyam, who is in his early 20s, now faces a charge of voyeurismin connection with an incidentatthe university's Kelowna, B.C., campus onMarch 10,2020.

The charge was laid two weeks afterCBC News reported on the case, detailing the victim's experience with RCMP.

The alleged victim,whose real name is protected by a publication ban, claimedshe caught a man using an iPhone to film her in a co-ed bathroom in the school's Commons building.

She saidshetold RCMP she "absolutely" wanted to move ahead with charges and thatthe responding RCMP officer Const. Ryan Routley was initially supportive. But then, she said, Routley started talking about the suspect's background and upbringing.

"[Routley]mentioned having good values, like family values," said the student, whomCBC is referring to by a pseudonym,Taylor.

"He was sort of implying he's been brought up the right way, mentioned that he had a girlfriend, that he was an engineering student with a co-op .... He keptsort of reiterating he will never get a job."

Routley has not responded to calls, texts or emails from the CBCrequesting comment.

Taylor also claimedthe officer told her he didn't think the suspect was likely to reoffend. Feeling confused, she reluctantly agreed to stop pursuing charges.

A second officer with the Kelowna RCMP sex crimes unit, Cpl. Tania Carroll, took over Taylor's case after university staff expressed concern about Routley's comments.Police later recommended that the suspect be charged.

CBC News corroborated the student's recollection by examining emails, notes and text messages, as well as through interviews with friends, family and confidential sources with direct knowledge of the events. Taylorhas since graduated from the university.

After reading the CBC News article, the currentdeputy vice-chancellor at UBCO,Lesley Cormack, said she was "deeply distressed" by Taylor's version ofevents and requested a meeting with the RCMP.

• Click here for more stories from CBC Kelowna

CBCNews has reached out to the detachmentfor comment on the charge.

In an earlier email, a spokesperson said the RCMPcould not address each of the student's claims regarding Const. Routley as the file was still with the Crown at the time.

Siyam, the accused, is setto make his first court appearance in April.

If you are the victim of sexual violence, please reach out for help toHealthLinkBCby calling811, or through theCrime Victim Assistance Programat1-866-660-3888 orVictimLink BCat1-800-563-0808 or text604-836-6381.

Those seeking support from the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office at UBC Okanagancan call250-807-9640.