A 46-year-old woman was violently, sexually assaulted in a Barton Street alley, police say

Hamilton police are looking for a suspect in a violent sexual assault Monday that has left a woman in "life-threatening" condition, and according to a community advocate, unable to speak.

Police say someone found the 46-year-old victim in an alley near Barton and Emerald streets shortly before 2:55 a.m. The witness heard screams for help and was able to confront the suspect before flagged down a passing officer, police said.

Jelena Vermilion, with the Sex Workers' Action Program (SWAP) Hamilton, an advocacy organization with an office on Barton Street East, said in a tweet Monday that the woman was found "near death." She said the woman did sex work and encouraged other workers to be on "red alert." 

Hamilton police said the woman remains unconscious in hospital. As a result of the serious nature of her condition, the homicide unit is leading the investigation, they added.

Police also said a suspect was seen leaving the area on foot, headed west on Barton Street.

They have obtained security footage that they believe shows the person in question: a young, Black man with short, braided hair.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Det.-Sgt. Steve Bereziuk said the suspect left behind a black and white Pull&Bear brand NASA jacket, which the person was seen wearing in security footage. 

"We are seeking assistance from the public to help identify this male," Bereziuk said. 

Vermilion said Tuesday she had been in touch with the victim's family and confirmed the woman had previously accessed SWAP's services.

"We pray for her recovery," she told CBC Hamilton by email. "My heart is wrenched at this moment… Thinking that... the violence she incurred will be justified and explained away by those who don't care about those who sell or trade sexual services."

Vermilion says the criminalization of sex work helps keep it underground, preventing victims from reporting assaults and making them targets to those who commit violence.

On Tuesday, Bereziuk said there would be no repercussions for a fellow sex worker who comes forward with information.  

"We're looking for help to help identify who this male suspect is," Bereziuk said. "That's our priority. That's what matters right now."

"There was nothing she did wrong here," he added, referring to the victim. 

Speaking broadly, Vermilion pointed to the need for safer work conditions and community care. 

"Exploitation in the sex industry flourishes when criminalization prevents sex workers from improving labour conditions, and reporting violence and exploitation," she said in the email.

"Sex workers are specifically targeted with the knowledge and understanding of the perpetrator(s) that when a sex worker is murdered, the community does not care as much (if at all) or in the same way as when someone who is not identified as a sex worker is murdered.

"In order to protect ALL WOMEN, we need to protect sex workers! Nobody is safe until sex workers are safe."