By IC Staff
Two off-campus sexual assaults took place near the University of Toledo this week and they are being investigated by the Toledo Police Department.
According to the timely warning sent to the UT community by UT Police Chief Jeff Newton on Monday Jan. 25, the first incident occurred in a residence on Evansdale in the Bancroft Hills neighborhood.
In the second warning sent by Newton on Tuesday Jan. 26, the victim reported the suspect was wearing dark clothes, a ski mask and a hooded sweatshirt and was also armed with a handgun. The second assault, which was against a former UT student, took place in an apartment complex on the 3300 block of Arlington Avenue early Tuesday morning.
According to UT’s Web site, there has been one reported incident of an on-campus sexual assault and two reports of off-campus sexual assault incidents for the 2009-10 academic year.
The 2008-09 academic year had one reported incident off-campus of sexual assault and three incidents of off-campus sexual assaults were reported during the 2006-07 academic year. There was also one report of on-campus sexual assault during the 2006-07 academic year.
According to the timely warning sent Jan. 25, the victim stated that she knew the suspect who assaulted her. Newton said most perpetrators usually choose a victim they know.
“You have to be careful with your dating situation and in making clear boundaries of what is appropriate and what it is not,” he said.
Newton said UTPD is offering a class for college credit called “Rape, Aggression and Defense,” which teaches women how to deal with sexual assault including self defense scenarios.
According to the timely warnings, rape is a felony of the first degree and punishable by five years to life.
Diane Docis, coordinator of the UT Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Program, said men around campus can help decrease sexual assault around UT by supporting the White Ribbon Campaign.
The campaign is an effort for men to help end violence against women by taking an oath “to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls,” Docis said.
Docis said her office is able to help provide information for victims of sexual assault.
“It is important the sexual assault education program is on campus,” she said. “I provide confidential, pressure-free support and information. I help make sure [victims] have information to make decisions.”
Docis said she hopes to see violence disappear, so one day, advocacy programs such as hers are no longer necessary.
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