A person was raped at Indiana University’s Union Street Center on Saturday, according to the university. No details were released to identify the victim.
The alert Indiana University transmitted Sunday via e-mail to members of the IU community said over the weekend that “a clean-shaven white male, approximately 6 feet tall” … “engaged in sexual acts with the victim, who was incapacitated and unable to give consent.”
The “Crime Notification” does not give a gender for the victim, but says the crime took place around 8 p.m. Saturday, and then finally says the crime was rape.
Further down the message then states: “Racial descriptors alone are not a valid reason to profile or cast suspicion on an individual. In cases of serious crime such as this we may include them only as part of the totality of circumstances if it may reasonably assist in the identification of the perpetrators.”
If you can help solve this crime you’re encouraged to call: “IU Police Department – Bloomington at 812-855-4111.”
Here is the text of the entire message:
“From: Crime Notification IU Bloomington <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2022 5:03:58 PM
To: Crime Notification IU Bloomington <[email protected]>
Subject: CRIME NOTICE – Reported Sexual Assault
IU Bloomington Crime Notice: February 13, 2022
CONTENT WARNING: This notice contains information on an assault that may cause distress to some individuals.
In compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, a crime notice is being issued for a reported rape.
REPORTED OFFENSE: On 2/12/2022 the IUPD received a report of rape. The victim reported that the suspect engaged in sexual acts with the victim, who was incapacitated and unable to give consent. The incident is believed to have occurred at Union Street Center.
TIME AND LOCATION OF OFFENSE: The incident occurred on 2/12/2022, at around 8 PM possibly in the Union Street Center.
SUSPECT: The suspect’s identity is not known to the victim or IUPD. The victim believed that the suspect is a clean-shaven white male, approximately 6 feet tall. The investigation is ongoing.
Racial descriptors alone are not a valid reason to profile or cast suspicion on an individual. In cases of serious crime such as this we may include them only as part of the totality of circumstances if it may reasonably assist in the identification of the perpetrators.
Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is encouraged to call the IU Police Department – Bloomington at 812-855-4111.
You may also call Crime Stoppers at 1-317-262-TIPS (8477).
For information on how to report sexual misconduct at IU please go to: https://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/report/index.html
SAFETY TIPS: Sexual assault can happen to anyone. Each member of the IU Bloomington community shares in the responsibility to create and maintain a safe and respectful environment for all individuals. You can help reduce the risk of sexual assault by watching out for the safety of others. While not all crimes of sexual violence are alike, the following information may be helpful:
- Perpetrators of sexual assault are often more likely to assault someone they know, rather than a stranger. It is also important to know that perpetrators of sexual assault can be strangers to the victim. The perpetrator, not the survivor, is responsible for any instance of sexual assault.
- Consent – Anyone initiating any kind of sexual contact with another person must obtain their consent. Consent is an agreement or permission expressed through affirmative, voluntary words or actions that are mutually understandable to all parties involved. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Consent cannot be coerced or compelled by force, threat, deception, or intimidation.
*Keep in mind that consent cannot be given by someone who is incapacitated. This means that a person is incapable of consent if they are unable to understand the facts, nature, extent, or implications of the situation due to drugs, alcohol, a mental disability, being asleep or unconscious, or based on their age (pursuant to Indiana law).
- Personal Safety – Perpetrators may use social media platforms to meet potential victims. Perpetrators may use personal information shared to engage in harmful and harassing behaviors. Be cautious about what you share and how you use social media. Use safety resources on your social media platforms to report anyone harassing or exhibiting harmful behaviors. Perpetrators often use drugs and/or alcohol to target potential victims. Other date rape drugs are tasteless, colorless, odorless, can be ingested in a multitude of forms, and the effects are not immediately apparent. Be cautious of any substance you are drinking, eating, or inhaling that you have not personally prepared and has not remained in your constant control.
- Bystander Intervention – Look out for each other. If one of you cannot be with a group of trusted friends, tell each other where you are going, whom you will be with, when you expect to return, and that you’ll contact them if anything changes. If you see someone in trouble, intervene directly if it is safe for you to do so, or delegate by seeking help from those around you or by calling 911.
For more information on sexual violence prevention and resources, see http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu
Additional safety tips can be found at: https://protect.iu.edu/police-safety/safety-prevention/index.html
ADDITIONAL UPDATES:
If additional information or updates are released, they will be posted to http://emergency.iu.edu.
Update your information on the IU Notify page to receive the most up-to-date notifications. Instructions for how to update your contact information are found at: https://kb.iu.edu/d/avvp
SAFETY RESOURCES:
Download the IU Rave Guardian Safety app to access personal safety resources. For more information visit: https://protect.iu.edu/emergency-planning/communication/guardian.html
CLERY ACT:
Crimes are identified using terminology from the Clery Act. Additional information on the Clery Act, including definitions of crime terms can be found at: https://protect.iu.edu/police-safety/clery/index.html“
