BREAKING: Sexual Assault Reported at UW
The University of Wyoming has alerted the UW community that a sexual assault was reported to UW Police Department early Sunday morning.
According to an email sent out to the UW community yesterday, the UW Police Department received a report that a female was sexually assaulted in the East Stadium Parking lot on Friday, Nov. 10. The female was walking across the parking lot on Friday night when she was tackled and sexually assaulted.
The email said the victim wanted to remain anonymous and evidence has been collected in case she wants to make a formal report later.
UWPD is asking that anyone with any information on the crime contact them at (307) 766 – 5179, or text using keyword UWYO to 847411 (TIP411).
They are also offering 24-hour safety escorts to students who feel unsafe crossing campus. Students can call (307) 766- 5178 to request an escort.
The email included statistics about sexual assault, saying that according to the National Institute of Justice, about 80 to 90 percent of sexual assaults reported by college women are perpetrated by someone known to the victim and that about half occur on a date.
The email also said that anyone can be sexually assaulted and that there are no sure means to prevent sexual assault, because the only people who can prevent sexual assault are those who perpetrate it.
The email offered precautions students can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victims of sexual assault, such as using a buddy system, not going anywhere with strangers or new acquaintances and helping out others believed to be at risk.
UW Spokesman Chad Baldwin said UWPD is investigating, but he said what happens next in the case depends on whether the victim wants to file a formal report. Baldwin said the report was not filed by the victim.