February 3, 2009
STUDENT REPORTS SEXUAL ASSAULT
A
student reported to SMU police that she was sexually assaulted during the early
morning hours of Monday, February 2, 2009, in her residence hall located at 5908
Hillcrest Ave. The student said she knew the suspect, who is not affiliated with
SMU. The suspect is 25 years old, 6 feet tall and weighs 185 pounds. He has
brown eyes and brown hair.
The suspect has been identified by SMU Police, has been issued a criminal
trespass warning and is no longer allowed on SMU property. Criminal charges are
pending following a full investigation.
Anyone with information about this matter is asked to contact the SMU Police
Department at 214-768-3388. Information also may be reported anonymously
through the Silent Witness Program by calling 214-SMU-2TIP or online at http://www.smu.edu/2tip
Protecting
Yourself
-
Avoid
secluded places (this may even mean your room or your partner's) until you
trust your partner.
-
Don't spend
time alone with someone who makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. This
means following your instincts and removing yourself from situations that
you don't feel good about.
-
Stay sober
and aware. If you're with someone you don't know very well, be aware of
what's going on around you and try to stay in control. Also, be aware of
your date's ability to consent to sexual activity — you may become guilty of
committing rape if the other person is not in a condition to respond or
react.
-
Know what
you want. Be clear about what kind of relationship you want with another
person. If you are not sure, then ask the other person to respect your
feelings and to give you time. Don't allow yourself to be subject to peer
pressure or encouraged to do something that you don't want to do.
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Take
self-defense courses. These can build confidence and teach valuable physical
techniques a person can use to get away from an attacker.