A teenage girl was swarmed and attacked by other teen girls in the Southern Alberta town Bow Island, Alberta RCMP say.

The attack was uncovered when police were asked to investigate graffiti on local businesses that made derogatory comments about a girl.

When they finally tracked her down, it was apparent she had been assaulted, police said Thursday.

She told police she was lured from her home on March 2, then attacked.

Her assailants wore garbage bags over their bodies and had nylons over their heads, according to police. The victim had multiple bruises and a black eye.

The RCMP says several charges, including assault, are pending against five teenage girls and a woman.

Bow Island is west of Medicine Hat.