At a news conference Thursday afternoon in the neighbouring communtiy of Maple Ridge, RCMP Sgt. Peter Thiessen said investigators believe several people took part in the sexual assault on Sept. 10, but they do not have enough evidence at this time to proceed with charges.
Previous reports that police believed the girl had been "gang raped" by five to seven young men were based on a miscommunication between police and the media, Thiessen said.
He said police still do not know how many people were involved in the assault and feel the use of the term "gang rape" is unnecessarily inflammatory.
Police say they now believe there may have been several more witnesses to the rape than previously thought - as many as 12 - and he urged them to come forward.
So far, two people have been arrested and released in connection with the incident, but no charges have been laid.
Thiessen said the girl had returned to school, with the support of her family and friends, but she was still struggling to overcome the rape, video and pictures of which were posted on Facebook.
