Stanford Police Investigate On-Campus Sexual Assault
STANFORD (CBS SF) – A Stanford University student has reported that she was raped early Friday inside university housing, authorities said.
Stanford's Department of Public Safety issued an alert saying the woman did not know her male attacker. No other details or a description of the suspect have been released.
Police said a third-party came to them saying that a female student reported being raped in the suspect's dorm room on the east side of campus.
Bill Larson, a spokesman for the university's Department of Public Safety, said Monday that "The victim has not come forward to us yet. She's been through a very traumatic experience. She's processing right now and we're hoping that she does come to us with additional details and provides a statement as part of the investigation."
Any other victims of sexual crimes are encouraged to report the incident to school officials.
"Stanford University does not tolerate sexual assault, sexual misconduct or sexual harassment," public safety officials said in a community alert on the incident.
The university has been a focal point of a growing national debate over on-campus sexual assaults since the case of former swimmer Brock Turner, who was convicted of assaulting an unconscious woman outside of a frat party last January.
Turner's sentencing – he was sentenced to six months but only served 90 days – triggered a national outcry.
The judge involved in the case is no longer handling sexual assault cases and has been the focus of a recall effect.
Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that will require 3-8 year sentences in cases of sexual assault on an unconscious victim in response to the public outcry over the Turner sentence.
Turner currently is serving out his probation in his hometown in Ohio.
School community members can find assistance in coping with sexual assault through confidential resources provided by calling the Stanford Confidential Support Team at (650) 723-6933 or after hours at (650) 722-9955, YWCA Stanford Rape Crisis hotline at (650) 493-7273 or Counseling and Psychological Services at (650) 723-3785.
