EUGENE, OR — The University of Oregon said it is aware of five sexual assault reports on or near campus over the past week, including four cases involving students. The fifth report happened near Alton Baker Dog Park, which sits next to university property, and an arrest has been made in that case.
In a media release Wednesday, the university said all affected students have been offered support resources. It also said the cases are not believed to be connected, though investigators think several alleged perpetrators may have taken advantage of victims who were intoxicated at social events.
Campus warning says the cases are separate and under investigation
The university said it is treating the incidents as campus crime warnings, the type of notice issued when certain crimes are reported on or near university property and federal law requires notification. The alerts are intended to help students, staff and faculty take precautions for personal safety.
UO said details are being withheld while police investigate. The University of Oregon Police Department and Eugene Police Department are both handling parts of the work, and the university said updates will be posted through its alert website.
Anyone with information that could help investigators is being asked to contact UOPD at 541-346-2919. The university said those tips can be kept confidential.
One case near Alton Baker Dog Park led to an arrest
Of the five reports, the university said one occurred near Alton Baker Dog Park, which is adjacent to campus property. That case is the only one for which an arrest has been announced so far.
UO did not provide additional details about the location, timing, or circumstances of that incident, saying the police investigation is still active. The university also did not say whether the arrest was made by campus police or Eugene police.
The remaining four reports all involved university students, making the case especially serious for the campus community. The university has not released identifying information about any of the students or the people accused in the reports.
University says intoxication may have been a factor in several allegations
In its release, the university said several alleged perpetrators may have taken advantage of victims who were intoxicated at social events. UO emphasized that intoxication never means consent and that submission, silence or incapacitation do not create permission for sexual activity.
The university also said it prohibits nonconsensual sexual activity and does not tolerate it in any form. It urged members of the campus community to understand and respect personal boundaries and to avoid using force, coercion, threats, alcohol or other drugs to facilitate sexual activity.
UO added that no action or inaction by a survivor makes that person responsible for being victimized. The university said the people responsible for the crimes and their effects are the perpetrators.
Support services offered to students affected by the reports
The university said every impacted student has been offered support resources. Those include the SAFE program at safe.uoregon.edu and the 24-hour hotline at 541-346-SAFE, or 7233, for students who have experienced sexual or domestic violence.
UO also pointed students to the Office of the Dean of Students Care and Advocacy Program, which can help survivors find support options. University Counseling Services is available on weekdays until 5 p.m., with 24-hour crisis support also available by phone.
Other campus resources listed by the university include Duck Nest, staffed by Peer Wellness Advocates, along with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access for students who want to ask questions about the investigation process or pursue a formal complaint.
Safety reminders include escorts, Duck Rides and emergency contacts
Along with the warning, UO repeated several safety suggestions for people traveling on or around campus. The university urged people to stay alert, use well-lit routes and keep a charged phone with emergency numbers already programmed.
It also pointed to the UO Mobile App, which includes safety resources, safe ride options and maps, and to Duck Rides, a free nighttime transportation service for students, staff and faculty that runs seven days a week from 6 p.m. to midnight.
UOPD also provides free on-campus escorts. The university said to call 9-1-1 in emergencies and to contact campus police at 541-346-2919 for non-emergency situations on campus.
University asks anyone with information to contact police confidentially
UO said community members can help by reporting anything that may be useful to investigators. It said tips should go to the University of Oregon Police Department, and that the information can be kept confidential.
The university also said any future updates will be posted through its alerts website. Until then, it is advising people on campus to stay aware of their surroundings, especially at night, and to look out for one another.
For the university, the warning is both a safety notice and a reminder that sexual assault reports can involve multiple agencies, resources and possible legal processes at the same time.
