A sexual assault in an on-campus residence hall was reported early in the morning on Oct. 6.
The name of the suspect has not been released, but is reported to have been known to the victim.
"In this case, the assailant was known to the student, but the biggest thing we preach to our residents is don't let anyone into a building if you don't know they're a resident of that building," said Kim Trupp, director of Housing and Residence Life.
Trupp said residence halls are equipped to provide maximum security for residents.
"For all of our residents, the amenities we have in terms of safety are that we keep all the entry doors to the buildings locked 24/7," Trupp said. "All of the doors are monitored with video surveillance cameras. They are also alarmed to eliminate door propping, and we also have security guards who patrol all the residential areas and parking lots."
Trupp said in situations such as this, housing staff are available to assist students in distress and make the appropriate referrals to counseling services.
"That's part of the advantage of living on campus is we do have resident life staff and other professionals who can assist, but we let the other professionals who are accustomed to dealing with these issues take the lead," Trupp said.
In this case, the victim was referred to Safe Harbor for further assistance.
Further details about the suspect are still unknown. In an email from Lee County District Attorney Robert Treese, he denied comment on the ongoing investigation under the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct.
This case was the first of two sexual assaults reported in Auburn this month. According to a news release from the Auburn Police Division, the second incident occurred Saturday at a residence on West Longleaf Drive. The incident was reported by the victim, a 19-year-old female, and the suspect, David A. Huffman, 26, was arrested the same day on a charge of rape in the first degree.
The police report states the assailant was also reported to have been known by the victim.
According to crime statistics in the University's annual Security and Fire Safety report, last year there were no forcible sex offenses in on-campus residence halls, one forcible sex offense on campus and no forcible sex offenses in off-campus housing.
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