UW Institutional Communications Press Release
(Note: The university is providing this information pursuant to disclosure requirements of the federal Clery Act.)
November 12, 2017 — The University of Wyoming has received a report of a sexual assault in the East Stadium parking lot on Friday, Nov. 10.
University police were informed early this morning that a female victim was walking across the parking lot on Friday night when an unknown suspect tackled the victim and sexually assaulted her. At this time, the victim in this case wishes to remain anonymous. Evidence has been collected in the event the victim elects to make a formal report at a later time. If you have any information about this crime, contact the UW Police Department at (307) 766-5179 or text using keyword UWYO to 847411 (TIP411).
UWPD offers students needing to cross campus who feel unsafe a free 24-hour safety escort by calling (307) 766-5178.
According to the National Institute of Justice, “About 85 to 90 percent of sexual assaults reported by college women are perpetrated by someone known to the victim; about half occur on a date.” This particular case involved an unknown suspect.
Anyone can be sexually assaulted, and there are no sure means to prevent sexual assault, because the only people who can prevent sexual assault are those who perpetrate it. However, you can take steps to lessen the likelihood that you or your friends will be assaulted or will assault someone. University police recommend taking the following precautions to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault when you go out:
- Know where you are going, and speak up if you are uncomfortable with the plans.
- Use the buddy system, and look out for one another. Don’t go anywhere with someone you don’t know well. If you do leave a party with a new friend, tell the friends you came with where you are going and when you are coming back. If you are worried about a friend’s safety, tell them.
- Know that drinking and drug use can impair your judgment. You might not be able to make the same decision you would make if you were sober.
- If you observe someone at risk, help them out. Some recommended practices for Bystander Intervention can be found here: http://www.uwyo.edu/reportit/if-assault-happens/bystander-intervention.html
- If you drink, drink responsibly: eat a full meal before going out, have a glass of water between each drink, stick to one type of alcoholic beverage, know your limits and don’t go beyond them, have a designated driver, and don’t let anyone else make the decision of how much you will drink.
- Only drink something that you poured yourself or that comes in a pre-sealed container, and don’t drink something that has been left unattended. Mixed drinks can have more alcohol in them than you might want to drink. Drugs (e.g., Rohypnol, GHB) can be dissolved in a drink, causing side effects such as nausea, dizziness, disorientation, and/or loss of consciousness.
Know and share with your friends the definition of consent: a freely and affirmatively communicated willingness to participate in particular sexual activity or behavior, expressed either by words or clear, unambiguous actions. Behaviors that do not communicate consent include, but are not limited to: past consent does not imply future consent; lack of protest or resistance; consent to engage in sexual activity with one person does not imply consent to engage in sexual activity with another; silence; coercion, force, or threat of either invalidates consent. The following people are unable to give consent: persons who are asleep or unconscious; persons who are incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication; persons who are unable to communicate consent due to a mental or physical condition; persons who are under the legal age of consent.
The UWPD urges individuals who believe they, or others, have been victims of sexual assault or other crimes to immediately contact their local law enforcement agency. On campus, UWPD may be reached at (307) 766-5179 or text keyword UWYO to 847411/TIP411. The Laramie Police Department may be reached at (307) 721-2526.
You may also report a sexual assault to the Report IT website: http://www.uwyo.edu/reportit/.
If you are concerned for another student’s well-being, you may report that to the UWYO Cares website: http://www.uwyo.edu/dos/uwyocares/.
UW has numerous resources to assist students in response to sexual assault, including:
- The Albany County SAFE Project, 108 Knight Hall, 766-3434, 24-hour hotline: 745-3556, www.safeproject.org.
- The STOP Violence Program, 106 Knight Hall, 766-3434.
- The University Counseling Center, 341 Knight Hall, 766-2187. For after-hours emergencies, students can talk to an on-call counselor at 766-8989.
- Student Health Service, Student Health Building, 766-2130.
- The Dean of Students Office, 128 of Knight Hall, 766-3296.
- Equal Opportunity Report and Response, Office of Diversity and Employment Practices, Bureau of Mines Room 318, 766-5200.
Why we issue these notices:
The Jeanne Clery Act of 1990 requires all colleges and universities that receive federal funding, including UW, to share information about crimes that occur in or around campus and our efforts to improve campus safety. This information is made publicly available through the university’s Security and Fire Safety Report accessible here.
We want you to know about serious crimes that occur in and around campus so that you are aware, informed and may take precautions regarding your safety. While UW is a safe campus, serious crimes do happen, and dangerous situations can develop. It is incumbent upon all members of our community to “say something when you see something” to help improve campus safety. You may do so as described here.
Types of notices:
Timely Warnings are disseminated when serious crimes occur or the threat of ongoing criminal acts may be repeated on campus — for example, a report of a sexual assault that occurred on campus.
Emergency Notifications are disseminated when a significant emergency or dangerous situation exists on campus — for example, a severe weather emergency such as a tornado warning.
Both notices provide you with guidance to help you protect yourself.
How these notices are issued:
These notices may be received through a UW Alert text message or an email to all members of the university community. Please be certain that you read emails with the subject, Timely Warning or Emergency Notification, and that you have registered your cellphone here.
Some students have also shared that they perceive there has been an increase in sexual assault incidents at UW. The recent increase in timely warning messages to campus regarding sexual assault does not necessarily reflect an increase in incidents, but rather an increase in reports. Colleges and universities across the country are seeing increases in reports. This is a positive trend in our efforts improve campus safety.
