Dorm rape charges withdrawn

By Maurice Ndole

A woman who told police she was sexually assaulted in the dorms has withdrawn her charge.

“ The case is closed,” said Michael Dunlap, university police chief.

Dunlap said the whole process is driven by the victim and police can not proceed with further investigations if the victim withdraws the complaint.

Flyers posted around campus by university police indicated the suspect entered the victim’s room at Baker Hall on April 4 and sexually assaulted the victim, who was unconscious at the time.

The police flyer also said the suspect gained entrance into the halls using unknown means and possibly gained entrance into the victim’s room through a door that was left ajar.

Communications major and Baker Hall resident Lacy Smith said it was easy for strangers to gain access to the rooms because only the entrance to the first floor was locked.

“ I wonder why the second and third floor [doors] are not locked,” Smith said.

Criminology professor Arthur Wint said there were several factors which make sexual assault victims withdraw their complaints.

“ Sometimes they recant because of family pressure, and sometimes they recant because of fear of retaliation,” Wint said.

Wint said sexual assault was one of the most under-reported crimes in the nation because of the stigma it carries.

“ Some victims might decide they don’t want to pursue it because they might be embarrassed,” Wint said. “In some cultures, they would not only lose face, but they would lose opportunity for a life partner.”

Despite the incident, Michelle Jurkovich, Associated Students vice president of finance who has lived in the dorms for more than two years, said she still felt safe in the dorms.

“ We are aware that there is a problem [with security] but it doesn’t stop us from living our lives,” Jurkovich said.