Authorities in Santa Barbara County are asking for anyone who may have information about a violent sexual assault to come forward.
The attack happened Saturday morning in Isla Vista, a small coastal community adjacent to the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Around 9:30 a.m., Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a report of a sexual assault that happened earlier in the morning at an apartment on the 6500 block of Trigo Road.
Officials for the Sheriff’s Office said the victim “endured an hourslong physical and sexual assault,” including a violent encounter in which she escaped the apartment into a common area and was forcefully dragged back inside.
Although details are limited, the woman was eventually able to escape, and her attacker, 22-year-old Damian Silverio of Isla Vista, was taken into custody that evening. Authorities said Silverio and the victim are “known to one another.”
Silverio was booked in the Santa Barbara Main Jail to await charges for kidnapping, rape, false imprisonment, domestic violence and preventing a victim from calling 911. He remains in custody without bail.
Due to the visible nature of the crime, as well as the length of the violent encounter, detectives believe there are additional witnesses to the crime who have not yet been identified.
“They are working diligently to capture those witness accounts and would like the public’s assistance,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Anyone with information is urged to contact SBSO Detective Ellis at 805-681-4150. Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling 805-681-4171.
The Sheriff’s Office says it will thoroughly investigate this case and others like it and will ensure survivors have access to resources and support. Victim advocates have been made available by calling 855-840-3232. Resources and additional support can be found here.
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