Two women assaulted on Chedoke trail in Hamilton, less than a week after women's safety walk

Hamilton Police say that two women were separately assaulted by a man on a bicycle on the Chedoke trail near the golf course Thursday. 

Police believe that the suspect was the same man in both assaults, but they do not know if the suspect is linked to this summer's slew of assaults against women on Hamilton's trail system.

Police say they are increasing the amount of patrols on the trails as a result.

The incidents come less than a week after Hamilton trail user Melissa Kelly held a 'Keep Women Safe Walk' on the Chedoke Trail. She said the weather was bad and the turnout was small, with only 20 or so walkers joining her, but the walk had an impact on people. 

"The response has been overwhelming," she said. 

She said after the safety walk, she was contacted by fellow Hamilton residents asking her to organize another walk. 

Before the safety walk, Kelly said she started the Women's Walking Group of Hamilton after a July 13 incident where a woman was dragged off of a Hamilton Mountain trail and assaulted.

Police continue to search for the suspect from that assault.

Kelly said that the Women's Walking Group of Hamilton is about safety, not socializing. She said her group accommodates walkers who use Hamilton's trails to find solitude and be alone with their thoughts. 

"I would say, 'I'm going to be at this trail, between this time and this time. If you're going to be on the same trail, just know that I am there, and here is my number if you need me," Kelly said, and added that the idea is to make women feel safe by knowing someone is near to come and help if something happens. 

Kelly said that seeing officers on the trail would make her feel more safe. 

"I have never once seen a police officer at any entry point, or along any of the trails I have walked," she said. 

She said having cameras installed at the trail heads could have helped police identify the suspects in this summer's attacks, and would make women feel more safe. 

When CBC Hamilton spoke with Kelly, she was unaware that there were two assaults against women on Chedoke Trail Thursday. 

"I'm just in shock right now," she said. "It hasn't even been a week since we had the walk, and for this to happen…" 

In a press release about Thursday's assaults, Hamilton police gave a list of tips on how women can stay safe while using Hamilton's trails. 

Their tips asked female walkers and joggers to stick to populated sections of the trail, avoid poorly lit sections of the trail, carry a phone or alarm device, use the trail without headphones and use the buddy system. 

While Kelly said she understands the suggestions are meant to help women use the trails safely, she said it is up to the police to protect trail users. 

"We have some of the most beautiful trails in our city and we should be able to enjoy them, just as men do, without being worried that something is going to happen," she said.