Several students from the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR) denounced a hockey player from the Patriotes university team who allegedly created an Instagram account where he gave a grade to women, some of them with whom he would have had intimate relations.
Their photo, their name as well as personal information such as their nationality or their date of birth have been revealed.
“I find it stressful, uncomfortable. I find that it is very detrimental to the person as such and to the Patriots,” mentioned one of the alleged victims who preferred to remain anonymous.
It was an anonymous person who alerted young women to this situation through social networks.
“I discovered that an Instagram account was made by a player from the UQTR men’s hockey team. […] The account shows more than a dozen girls. […] The first publication dates from August 22, 2022 and the most recent from October 30, 2022”, she wrote to the students.
“Me, let’s admit, at first I didn’t realize. I am anxious in life and I almost have trouble sleeping,” admitted one of the young women exposed.
Although the account is now deleted, screenshots are still circulating, raising fears of a return to school for many.
“Looks like it scares me. You know, we are both at UQTR, so there is a chance that I can meet him or see him, ”she added.
“I’m there, in the events, and there’s like a social anxiety to say to myself ” who saw that? Who heard of it? What do I look like? I haven’t gone back to university since because it stresses me out to meet him,” said another of the alleged victims reached by telephone.
The UQTR has been made aware of the allegations and has confirmed that temporary measures can be put in place while investigating and verifying the facts.
“Immediately Friday, the same day that this information arrived, the message was transmitted to the management who took action to ensure that we could carry out an investigation”, explained the spokesperson for UQTR, Jean-François Hinse.
The hockey player confessed to one of the exposed women.
“Honestly, I’m really sorry. I didn’t really think about doing it. I thought it was funny, but it was really a mistake and now I’m paying for it. […] It was careless of me. I thought it was going to be just for me,” he said.
He also earned a temporary administrative suspension while the investigation was ongoing. So far, he hasn’t been able to put on his skates this past weekend. The measure could be extended.
“I hope that there will really be something put in place in relation to that and it is true that it worries me that he is a hockey player, because it is such a culture that we worships Quebec,” explained the young woman on the phone.
Some students plan to file a complaint with UQTR in the coming days.
Discussions are underway with the school administration to first learn more about the events and if necessary, to take action if there are accusations.