Quantcast
Sexual assault reported in Boston University dorm – Metro US

Sexual assault reported in Boston University dorm

boston university
Getty Images

Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault in a Boston University dormitory early Sunday morning, university officials confirmed.

Students and faculty were alerted Sunday of the assault, which happened in the Warren Towers, a freshmen residence hall on Commonwealth Avenue. The dormitory houses about 1,800 students.

“It appears to be an isolated incident and police believe there is no continuing danger to students,” Boston University spokesman Colin Riley said.

The assault happened sometime after 2 a.m. Sunday and the victim was unable to provide a description of the attacker.

Riley said the university has received several reports of sexual assault this semester.

Boston University saw an uptick in reports of rape between 2014 and 2015—the only two years for which that data exists. In 2014, there were five reports of on-campus rape. That number jumped to nine last year.

Riley said it’s difficult to pinpoint the cause of the spike.

“Each incident has its own set of circumstances,” he said.

The number may not necessarily be indicative of an increase in assaults, but could be a symptom of the university’s efforts to educate students about sexual assault and consent, which has encouraged more victims to report abuse, Riley said.

Over the last four to five years Boston University launched the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Center, which employs a team of counselors and educators who work to support victims of sexual assault and produce prevention education programs across campus.

The university asked anyone with information of the assault to contact Boston University police at 617-353-2121.