The University community was alerted to the first reported sexual assault of the spring semester Sunday.
University students received a “Your Right to Know” email from the University Chief of Police Michael Gibson regarding a rape initially reported to have taken place at a “student organization” on Rugby Road.
The reported assault has since been found to have occurred at a private residence in the City of Charlottesville in the 400 block of 17th St NW, according to a press release from the Charlottesville Police Department. The CPD has taken over the investigation of this report.
All the information the University Police Department previously held was immediately turned over to the CPD. The UPD will no longer be involved in any capacity, even though this case involves a student.
There were five reported sexual assaults in the fall semester, UPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Ben Rexrode said. He said there were not any commonalities among the assaults.
“Sexual assaults are not only reported to the police department, but to other areas within the University as well,” Rexrode said in an email statement.
The UPD works with several groups such as Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Council and Housing and Residence Life to address concerns of safety and sexual assaults on Grounds, Rexrode said.
“The University has numerous prevention programs regarding sexual assault such as Green Dot [and] Hoos Got Your Back,” Rexrode said. “The police department also offers different safety outreach programming such as self-defense classes and safety seminars to everyone in the University community.”
Rexrode also said he believes the “Your Right to Know” emails have been effective in raising awareness about sexual assault.
“The emails inform the community that a crime has been reported and provide resources and education regarding sexual assault,” Rexrode said.
Fourth-year College student Alex Pinkleton, president of sexual assault education group One Less, discussed the benefits of the “Right to Know” emails.
“One of the benefits of the emails is awareness that sexual assault is something that is unfortunately still happening,” Pinkleton said in an email statement. “Additionally, these emails contain important information about resources available to people [who] have been assaulted and tips for prevention.”
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