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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 13, 2014 | 4 Police implore students to be vigilant and take precautions continued from p.1 "These are very frustrating and difficult investigations for police, specifically situations like this where the suspect is heavily-clothed and most often wearing some form of facial covering. Along with that, we have victims who are startled and in very traumatic situations... their memory and recall are not always the best." Power confirmed all the victims are Sheridan students. He said most were walking along the wooded trails near the campus when they were approached from behind by the culprit and sexually assaulted. In all instances, Martin said the man was believed to be unarmed and the victims received little or no physical injuries during the attacks. In all of the incidents, the suspect fled when the victim screamed, fought back or when others interrupted the assault. In an interview with the Oakville Beaver , the victim of last Thursday's attack, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was walking along the sidewalk on the north side of the Trafalgar Road campus around 9 p.m. when a lone male approached her from behind. He grabbed her backpack and told her she had to come with him. The woman said she screamed, turned and struck the man over the head with a metal object she was carrying. He then ran away. The male suspect is between 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-7 with a slim-to-medium build. He wore a dark jacket with a hood lined with a light-coloured material. He had a dark winter Oakville Community Support Officer, called on students to take control of their own safety. "Let's get unplugged. Why do we walk around with our heads down, looking at our cellphones? Why are we texting and walking?" she asked. "You are not seeing what is really happening when you are doing that and that is the biggest concern. We need you to know what is going on around you. We need you to walk with your head high. We need you to be confident, assertive, walk with a purpose and look around and pay attention to what is really going on." Police said many of the victims had ear buds on when attacked. Draper noted someone who is distracted is more likely to appear vulnerable. The constable is stationed on campus, near Tim Hortons, from 1-4 p.m., so anyone with information can speak to her. Michael Burjaw, director of Sheridan Security, said the college has an increased security presence with additional guards patrolling the grounds of the campus. He said since the August incident, Sheridan has two additional security guards. He said an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is being used to patrol the trails and a Sheridan security jeep patrols around the college. Burjaw said Sheridan has a security app that can be downloaded to any smartphone, giving students a one-touch, dial-up to security. Also discussed was the addition of a new emergency station in the woods. Sheridan President Dr. Jeff Zabudsky said while Sheridan owns the forest surrounding the Oakville campus, the Town leases the paths. He said Sheridan has been in contact with the Town to see about adding improved lighting and cameras to the trails. At this time, it is not clear who would pay for the improvements. Officials at Tuesday's meeting heard lots of questions from students. One woman complained the college's Safe Walk program volunteers -- who escort students from one area of campus to another upon request -- would not accompany students through some of the wooded areas surrounding the college. Student Union President Jenna Pulver said that issue has since been resolved. Another student called for greater notification when attacks occur, stating he received an email about only one of the five assaults. College officials assured notifications were sent to those with Sheridan email accounts, but said they would review his complaint. "I'm glad they are taking measures to do something, but it still concerns me they haven't done anything sooner than this," said student Sarah Ollerhead, adding, "I was at the pub a few nights ago chatting with some other students and they didn't seem to be taking it seriously at all." Sheridan student Paul Falkowski said holding the town hall meeting was an appropriate response, but called for firmer timelines as to when additional lighting and emergency stations would be added to the nearby trail system. An ATV is being used to patrol wooded areas near Sheridan College's Oakville campus. | photo courtesy The Sheridan Sun ski mask covering his face. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Power said the suspect appears to follow no set pattern, attacking victims of different backgrounds, at various locations around the campus, day or night. He said the man's actions seem to indicate he is comfortable with the surroundings of the campus. 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