by Jennifer Buckley, Maggie McNeary, & Morgan Embry
Opinion Editor, Editor & Associate Editor
An unidentified person reported being sexually assaulted outside, in the area of campus between Mashburn Hall and New Hall, at 2:15 a.m. on Aug. 23.
The UCA Police Department is investigating the case and trying to develop leads.
The victim reported the sexual assault to UCAPD at 6:11 p.m. on Aug. 27.
“We’re doing all we can right now to establish and investigate leads,” UCAPD Officer Michael Hopper said.
This is the second alleged sexual assault reported on campus this month.
The first incident, which was reported on Aug. 8, occurred inside New Hall and the Aug. 23 incident occurred outside New Hall.
“At this time, we do not have any reason to believe that [the two incidents]are related,” Hopper said.
UCAPD sent out an email on Aug. 28 (pictured above) to inform students of the most recent alleged assault and to provide them with information.
The email contained a description of the alleged perpetrator of the assault.
According to the email, “The suspect is described as a black male, about six feet tall with a muscular build, tightly braided shoulder-length hair, tattoos on his arms and neck and wearing a black flat bill cap, black T-shirt with a logo and dark gray sweat pants.”
UCA Associate Vice President for Communications, Public Relations and Marketing Christina Madsen said the UCAPD email is the only information UCA plans to distribute at this time.
“We have numerous trainings and programs that are always ongoing to help educate and bring about awareness on the topic of sexual assault,” Madsen said.
If anyone has information or a crime tip, he can call the UCA Police Department Crime Tips Hotline at 501-450-5696 to report what he knows and remain anonymous.
In the email, UCAPD listed several safety tips for students. UCAPD urges students to “trust your instincts,” “always be aware of your surroundings” and to walk with a group of people after dark.
In an emergency, students should call 911 or UCAPD at 501-450-3111.
