The young mother who was held captive and viciously sexually assaulted with her toddler in the room last weekend is overwhelmed with the show of support from the Penticton, B.C. community.
About 200 people marched in support of the victim Saturday evening. Many people didn't realize that the woman, who can't be identified by law, was marching as well.
"Right now I just want to say thank you," said the woman, who brought her toddler to the rally. "I can't believe how many people have come together for this"
The supporters, representing about five community groups, marched to the second hand store where police say the attack occurred last weekend.
Reasha Wolfe from Penticton Women's Centre said that the show of unity was important for the community to heal as well.
"We had to come together and put something together for the family to show how much we support them," she said. "And for the community to have a chance to process these complex feelings and to take back our neighbourhood."
The father of the toddler told CTV News that the child appears to have no memory of the horrific incident.
"He has no recollection of anything," he said.
The victim is also on the road to recovery.
"I'm doing good," she said. "I'm not getting dizzy spells anymore or anything like that. I'm getting better and I'm getting more and more energy everyday."
The suspect, 35-year-old David Wesley Bobbitt, who operates the second hand store where the assault took place, is facing a charge of attempted murder. The police are also suggesting charges of aggravated sexual assault and unlawful confinement.
Bobbitt is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation and is due back in court at the end of August.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Kent Molgat
