Police: Temple Suspends Frat After Sexual Assault Allegations
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Philadelphia Police Department and Temple University are investigating after two students claim they were sexually assaulted by members of a fraternity earlier this year.
Police say the incidents happened in February and March of 2018. Two 19-year-old women reported to police they were sexually assaulted after attending a party with members of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity.
"She was given several drinks by members of the fraternity. She says she became dizzy and disoriented and that's the last thing she remembered until she woke up in bed with one of the members of the fraternity," said Captain Mark Burgmann with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Both women went to police in April. No one has been charged in the case, but authorities say charges are certainly possible. Students are upset, but not surprised by the news.
"I feel like especially as a woman you have to make those smart decisions like, 'Are you going out with a buddy,' 'Are you paying attention to your drinks?'" said Selina Stanford, a senior at Temple.
Josh Herzing said, "I think its a pretty big deal and stuff like this goes on all college campuses and they're trying to do more stuff about it."
On Friday, Temple announced the suspension of the fraternity, saying they have "received multiple credible reports from various sources alleging underage drinking, the excessive use of alcohol, possibly drugs and sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, during social activities at Alpha Epsilon Pi."
A spokesperson for the Alpha Epsilon Pi tells CBS3 they are very concerned about these allegations and have suspended all activities at their Temple University group.
Read Alpha Epsilon Pi's full statement on the incident:
"We are aware of the rumors and the nature of the investigation by Temple University Police and the local authorities and continue to cooperate fully with both. The University has asked us not to conduct our own investigation and, to date, we have received no other official notice from the University. We are, obviously, very concerned about these allegations as they have no place in Alpha Epsilon Pi.
We suspended all activities of our Temple University group nearly three weeks ago and have directed that no non-members of the fraternity are allowed in the fraternity house pending the outcome of these investigations.
Alpha Epsilon Pi is a fraternity based in Jewish values and anyone associated with such alleged behavior has no place in our fraternity and will be removed immediately. In the meantime, we will continue to cooperate fully with all appropriate authorities and investigations."
Temple has increased police presence throughout the campus, including on the 2000 block of Broad Street as the investigation into the reports continues.
Philadelphia police say they are arranging an interview with a possible third victim.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.
