Crime alert issued after sexual assault

A recent crime alert text message issued by UVM Police Services may have students questioning their safety on campus.

According to the mass text, Police Services received a report of a sexual assault of a female student during the late evening hours on Tuesday, April 6 between Redstone and Athletic campuses.

 "The alert, which offered few details, went out a full week after the incident because police were not notified immediately." UVM Police Chief Lianne Tuomey told the Burlington Free Press.

No report had been filed with campus police, and authorities do not know the identity of the victim, Toumey said.

First year Jen Attig said that the little information she has received about this incident made her feel uneasy.

"I always assume that I am safe at UVM," Attig said. "Apparently police have been asking students on Athletic and Redstone if they saw a body being dragged the night it happened."

UVM Police Services released advice to avoid incidents such as this one.

"Students should be mindful of their surroundings, travel in well-lit areas and take care to travel with friends and let people know your whereabouts, also report suspicious persons/activity to Police Services immediately," they said.

Unfortunately, incidents such as these may happen far more than students are aware.

The latest statistics released on the UVM website report shows that in 2008, there were three recorded cases of forcible rape on campus, three cases of forcible fondling and three cases of sexual assault reported anonymously.

In 2007, there were two cases of forcible fondling and 20 cases of sexual assault reported anonymously.

Anyone with information about this incident should immediately contact Police Services at 802-656-3473 or Police@uvm.edu. 


Anyone in need of support may contact:
The Counseling Center at 802-656-3340

The Womens Center/Victim Advocate at 802-656-7892

Residential hall students may also contact hall staff