The Department of Campus Safety (DCS) released a crime alert yesterday, Feb. 17, reporting a forced fondling that took place off campus, the sixth sexual assault to be reported by DCS this year.
According to the email, a female student was walking on the Asbury and Josephine intersection at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Saturday morning when she was approached by a man who touched her inappropriately and followed her as she walked down the street.
“She was approached by a guy she didn’t know, who started talking to her and asking her questions,” said DCS Sergeant Stephen Banet. “He eventually grabs her, she keeps moving and he keeps following her,” he said.
According to the crime alert, the man was a black male in his early 20s wearing a black leather coat and was about 5’ 8” tall. He had short hair and an accent which the victim could not identify.
“The suspect touched the victim inappropriately and began to follow her,” the alert reported. “The suspect pushed the victim against a car, at which time the victim struck him and fled the scene.”
This incident marks the sixth time this year that sexual assault has been reported from a location near campus, with five of these incidents being reported by DU students.
In response to this latest incident, Banet said a DCS investigation officer has contacted the Denver Police Special Crime Arrest Team (SCAT), a team of officers which proactively works to fight street crime, and they will be working to find the suspect.
Anyone with information about this crime can contact campus safety at 303-871-3000 or the Denver Police 720-913-2000.
Additionally, students may contact the DU anonymous tip line at 303-871-3130 as well as DU Crime and Prevention Services at 303-871-3019.
DCS also released the following tips for students to protect themselves when walking on streets near campus:
– Walk with a group; there is safety in numbers.
– If you must walk alone, call Campus Safety for an escort.
– Stay on well-lit paths and sidewalks.
– If you observe a suspicious man person make note of their height, weight, clothing facial features and direction of travel and contact Campus Safety immediately.
– Familiarize yourself with the location of blue light emergency phones.
– Sign up for Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes, offered for both men and women.
