A female student reports that she was raped in a campus residence hall room by an acquaintance this weekend while she was incapacitated, according to a release from Auburn University Public Safety and Security.
No other details are known at this time.
Auburn University Public Safety and Security included reminders to students in the release:
Statistics indicate that nearly 90 percent of all completed or attempted rapes on campuses are committed by acquaintances. Please remember that:
• Having sex with someone who is incapacitated (rape) is against the law and is a felony.
• Alcohol is the most common drug used to facilitate sexual assault.
• It is important for everyone involved in a sexual act to give consent to all aspects of the act. Consent means a clear and sober "yes," given freely.
• It is a myth that it can't happen to you. Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, class, religion, occupation, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, educational background, or physical description. Rape is never the victim's fault.
If you are a victim of sexual assault, you should:
• Preserve evidence. Do not shower or change your clothing.
• Dial 911 for emergency assistance or immediately go to the nearest hospital (in the Auburn area, East Alabama Medical Center located at 2000 Pepperell Parkway in Opelika, Alabama) to get medical care and request a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam ("rape kit").
• Report it. Notification options include:
o Dial 911 (emergencies) or 334-501-3100 to reach the Auburn Police Division. The police are the only entity that can investigate a sexual assault for the means of criminal prosecution. It is important for them to gather evidence as soon as possible.
o Dial 334-844-4794 to report the incident to the Auburn University Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Office receives official complaints of violations of the university's Title IX Policy.
o All survivors are encouraged to report the assault, but it is always the survivor's choice whether or not to do so.
Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates On and Off Campus (24 hours a day)
• Safe Harbor (on campus) - 334-844-7233 or safeharbor@auburn.edu
• Rape Counselors of East Alabama (community) - 334-705-0510
Resources for Survivors: www.auburn.edu/titleix
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