Public masturbator spotted in Elizabeth Dafoe

Matt Abra, volunteer staff

Mary Wrightley was taken by surprise on Monday, March 17, when she witnessed a lone male standing naked and masturbating against a third-floor window of the Elizabeth Dafoe Library.

Wrightley (name changed) was walking out of the Human Ecology building at approximately 11:45 a.m., when she looked up and noticed the man standing at the large windows near the Iceland Reading Room in the library. He was fully exposed and facing her as he masturbated.

“It took me a minute to process what I was seeing, but, once it was clear, I was immediately horrified,” said Wrightley.

Wrightley quickly went to retrieve a nearby friend to show her what was happening, in hopes of having someone to back up her story when she went to report the incident. When she and her friend arrived back at the spot and looked at the window, the man was now clothed and just leaving the room.

From there, Wrightley went into the library and informed the information desk of what she had seen. Employees of the library called the U of M Security Services, who came and took a statement from her. Wrightley then led the men from Security Services up to the room where it had happened. On the window, they found traces of semen running down the glass.

The area was patrolled, but at the time no suspect was found.

Linda Lavallee, head of Security Services, said that a suspect has since been identified, but they are keeping the name confidential. However, the description given by Wrightley was that he was tall, dark-haired and had a tattoo on his left arm. That is all she could tell from her vantage point.

Representatives from the Elizabeth Dafoe Library declined to make an official comment on the incident, but Jim Blanchard, the acting head, did acknowledge that “we are very concerned about the incident.”

Wrightley said that it was a very “disturbing” experience and it took her a couple of days to get over it.

“That’s not exactly what you come to school to see,” she said. She has since been in further touch with Security Services and says that they have been helpful in the aftermath. Security Services themselves said that they have now increased patrols in that area, as well as in other areas.

Lavallee said that Security Services will “continue to investigate this incident and uphold our commitment to preventing any further incidents that threaten the U of M community’s enjoyment and right to a respectful and safe educational and work environment.”