The St. John's Sexual Assault Crisis Centre says e-mails circulating about a reported sexual assault may be doing more harm than good.

Two e-mails have been circulating throughout the community, each with specific and identifying details about an attack reported almost two weeks ago at a Circular Road home.

Denise Hayes says unconfirmed e-mails about a reported sexual assault in St. John's may be hurting an investigation.
(CBC)

The e-mails, though, express conflicting opinions regarding the case.

Denise Hayes, a volunteer with the St. John's Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre, said unconfirmed information contained in the e-mails can fuel needless fear and confusion among area residents.

"It's certainly contributed to fear mongering, absolutely," Hayes told CBC News.

"The question we have is, was this e-mail endorsed by the victim herself? Because if not, then all this information — all of this very personal information about a very traumatic event — has been out there in cyberspace for anyone to read, and that can be very damaging," Hayes said.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is not commenting on the e-mails, nor is the force making any comment on its ongoing investigation.

Jeanette Browne — who wrote the first e-mail about the case — has defended her actions, even though she had not spoken directly to the victim herself.

"I know too many young women that are living on their own," Browne told CBC News last week. Browne, who said she based her information on a conversation a friend had with the victim, said police should be holding daily updates for the news media on the investigation.

The second e-mail says that the attack was not random.

Hayes said the e-mails could be hurting the police investigation.

Her group, meanwhile, is holding a forum on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the community centre in the Sobeys store on Merrymeeting Road.