The University of Cincinnati Police Department knows the identity of an alleged rape suspect but is waiting to make an arrest pending the victim’s decision to file charges, according to UCPD officials.
The first reported rape of the 2008-09 academic year allegedly occurred between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., Nov. 15, in a bathroom of Daniels Residence Hall, a co-ed dormitory at UC that houses nearly 700 students.
Although the suspect is not a UC student, he had legitimately gained access to the dormitory through a resident of the hall, according to Capt. Karen Patterson of UCPD.
Without academic ties to UC, the University Student Judicial System is unable move forth in a student evaluation process.
“The suspect is not a student so there are not many options,” Patterson said. “The victim will decide whether to prosecute or not.”
As a result of the suspect’s disassociation with the university’s code of conduct, the decision to take legal action is solely on the part of the victim.
If the decision to prosecute were to be made, the victim would meet with a special prosecutor to discuss the allegation. The prosecutor would then evaluate the evidence provided by UCPD and make a decision whether to continue moving forward with legal action.
“There are some successful [rape] cases, but prosecuting doesn’t make it a done deal,” Patterson said. “Bringing a case before the court means the victim will have to tell the story to strangers over and over again.”
Patterson believes that taking this time to handle the emotional stress of the rape with close friends and family is in the best interest of the victim.
Even making the decision to talk to loved ones can be intimidating for victims, which is why UC has several centers set up to help students cope with situations such as
sexual assault.
Many rape cases are not reported because of confidentiality concerns, according to Amy Howton, the sexual assault reporting coordinator of UC’s Women’s Center.
“Our advocacy is to empower victims,” said Howton. “We want to give [a victim] enough information to make the best decision for themselves, and we will completely support their decisions.”
One of the main considerations for victims is that they might not want their parents to know about their activities on campus, namely alcohol use.
“Alcohol makes an individual vulnerable,” Howton said, although she emphasizes that consumption shouldn’t be a deterrent from getting support.
Although the victim in this case didn’t report alcohol use, parties had taken place the night of the assault, according to Patterson.
Saturday’s victim has yet to make a final decision concerning the next legal step, although she need not make an immediate decision; the statute of limitation for rape is 20 years.
The victim sought immediate medical attention from a local hospitals equipped for sexual assault treatments, a procedure Howton and her colleagues advocate.
As a result, the physical evidence gathered from the crime scene, as well as medical reports, will be kept indefinitely by the UCPD.
If you have any information regarding the crime, the UCPD asks that you please contact them at 513-556-1111.
If you are a victim of sexual assault and are looking for support, the Women’s Center asks that you please call the 24-hour UCWC’s Reclaim Help Line at 513-218-9531.
The News Record > Sections > News
Alleged On-campus Rape in Daniels
Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Updated: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
 "Photo: Emily Lang | The News Record")
Emily Lang | The News Record
a university of cincinnati student was allegedly raped in a Daniel’s Residence Hall restrooom Saturday, Nov. 15.
1 comments
doug.stayrook@alpharma.com
As parents of a female UC student in Daniels', on the floor where the assault occured, we have grave concerns about what is going to happen, moving forward, to ensure that this does not happen again (or the liklihood is greatly diminished.) Please reply with your strategy.
