Colleges and universities around the country have received widespread attention regarding campus sexual assault. Indiana’s institutions are no different: A sexual assault reportedly took place at the Bloomington campus of Indiana University early last Sunday morning. According to the report, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. at an off-campus party.
According to the report, the victim, who was not a student, attended an off-campus party in Stadium Crossings Apartments. At the party, she reportedly met two men with whom she would eventually leave the party. Around 2 a.m., the men accompanied the victim to Wright Quad on the Bloomington campus, where they allegedly raped her. The victim escaped and fled to a bathroom at nearby Rollins House. She contacted police around 2:28 a.m.
No further information has been released regarding the alleged perpetrators’ identities, but police say that one of the suspects was wearing a Halloween costume resembling a captain’s hat. As of yet, no arrests have been made.
Indiana University offered several safety tips, including:
- The assailant, not the victim, is legally responsible for sexual assault.
- Anyone initiating sexual contact must obtain consent.
- Consent cannot be obtained from someone who is intoxicated or unconscious.
- It is dangerous and illegal to use drugs or alcohol to target potential sexual partners.
- Bystanders can intervene to prevent attacks and assaults.
Sexual assault is a criminal act that can carry devastating consequences, both emotionally and legally. The university emphasized that sexual assault can happen to anyone, and that every member of the community is responsible for maintaining a safe environment that reduces the risk of sexual assault.
