University of Virginia Police Investigate Report of Sexual Assault at Campus Dorm
The college said it received the report six days after the alleged incident.
— -- University of Virginia police say they are investigating a report that a student was sexually assaulted on campus in a residence hall.
UVA Police received the information of the alleged assault Thursday, though the assault was said to have occurred six days earlier. This was the same weekend that sorority members were ordered to stay in their houses and not participate in fraternity activities for the weekend.
“On February 5, 2015, The University of Virginia Police Department received information from the Office of the Dean of Students about a sexual assault incident reported to have occurred on January 30, 2015, in a residence hall on-Grounds,” Chief of University Police Michael Gibson, said in an email to students last night.
“This information is being released in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The Clery Act requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses, including timely warnings of crimes that may represent a serious or ongoing threat to the safety of students or employees.”
The University of Virginia has faced pressure to change the way they handle sexual assault on campus in the past few months after a now-discredited story in the Rolling Stone detailing a culture of rape and sexual violence at a fraternity house.
Virginia state lawmakers are weighing legislation that would require university employees to report any sexual assault to law enforcement. HB1930 is advancing in the House of Delegates and is sponsored by Delegate Robert Bell, a Republican from Albemarle. Some worry that this legislation could discourage victims from reporting.
University of Virginia Deputy Spokesperson Matthew Charles gave ABC News the following statement on the January 30 incident:"The University of Virginia Police Department issued a timely warning notice pursuant to the Clery Act on Thursday evening related to information it received regarding a reported sexual assault incident on Jan. 30 at a residence hall.The matter is being reviewed in accordance with Title IX, the Clery Act, the 2013 Violence Against Women Act, and university policies, and no further comments are anticipated at this time."
The college has taken a number of steps aimed at improving campus safety including posting monitors at frat parties and forbidding beer kegs and mixed drinks.