Rector of Laval University defends silence after reports of sexual assaults

Denis Brire, the rector of Laval University, is defending his silence in the wake of a spate of sexual assaults alleged to have taken place in a university residence Friday night.

Brire saidhe did not want to speak publicly after the incidents because he didn't want to interfere with the police investigation.

Quebec City police, along with university security, are investigating complaints from 11 students that someone broke into their dormitory rooms intheAlphonse-Marie-ParentresidenceFriday night, with four of the reportsalleginga physical or sexual assault took place.

Briresaidthat since he took the position of rector in 2007 the university has faced other inquiries, and in none of those cases did he meet with media.

"We put priority on victims and the community," Brire told CBC News.

• Laval University 'wholeheartedly' sides with victims after reports of sexual touching

Crisis management analyst Victor Henriquez criticized Brire's silence until now,sayingthe rectorneeds to defend the reputation of the university in situations like this.

"The rector needs to go into crisis mode" Henriquez said, adding it's the job of the university administration to inform the public.

Brire said that he has been actively working to come up with a course of action to ensure the campus is safe,meeting with student associations and campussecurity.

He said security has been stepped up following the break-ins.

"We're looking to see if they need to increase [security] more. And seeing if, hopefully, there will be no more incidents like this on campus," Brire said

• Security tightened at Laval University after reports of sexual assault