Georgetown University

Public Safety Alert: Sexual Assault in Copley Hall

On Friday, April 9, 2010 at approximately 6:00 p.m. a student was sexually assaulted in Copley Hall. The complainant had left her room and was walking downstairs toward the basement. As the complainant was heading downstairs, an unknown male followed her and said to her "Hey girl." The suspect then grabbed her from behind, pushed her against the wall, put one hand over her mouth and the other up her shirt. The complainant pushed the suspect and ran out the back door toward the Davis Performing Arts Center. The suspect left in an unknown direction. The complainant did not recognize the suspect. DPS and MPD responded to the scene and the investigation will continue under the direction of MPD.

The Department of Public Safety is requesting that anyone who has information regarding this or any other incident(s), or who noticed any suspects before or after the incident(s), to contact them immediately at (202) 687-4343.

Incident

Date: April 09, 2010

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Campus

Address: Copley Hall

Incident type: Sex Offense

Respondents: MPD

Incident summary: On Friday, April 9, 2010 at approximately 6:00 p.m., a student was sexually assaulted in Copley Hall by an unknown male.

On Friday, April 9, 2010 at approximately 6:00 p.m. a student was sexually assaulted in Copley Hall. The complainant had left her room and was walking downstairs toward the basement. As the complainant was heading downstairs, an unknown male followed her and said to her "Hey girl." The suspect then grabbed her from behind, pushed her against the wall, put one hand over her mouth and the other up her shirt. The complainant pushed the suspect and ran out the back door toward the Davis Performing Arts Center. The suspect left in an unknown direction. The complainant did not recognize the suspect. DPS and MPD responded to the scene and the investigation will continue under the direction of MPD.

Victim(s):No physical injuries were reported in this incident.

Victim(s) status:

Witness description of suspect(s):The suspect is described as a white male in his early twenties, 6' tall, medium build wearing a black tee shirt.

Safety Reminder

The Department of Public Safety would like to remind all students to practice the following security measures:

  1. On campus students should call DPS at 202-687-4343 regarding any safety concerns.

  2. Off campus students with immediate safety concerns should call MPD at 911 and DPS at 687-HELP.

  3. Practice security at home by not propping doors open, always keeping doors and windows locked, even when you are in residence, and not opening the door to strangers.

  4. Students noticing suspicious activities or individuals loitering around entrances to residence halls, apartments, or townhouses should immediately notify DPS at 202-687-4343.

  5. Students may utilize the services of THE SHUTTLE or DPS SAFERIDES escorts as a means of providing safe passage off-campus. Call 784-RIDE for DPS SAFERIDES escorts.

Georgetown University's Department of Public Safety (DPS) notifies the campus community when crimes are reported to DPS or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) which the University believes represent a threat to its students or employees, in a manner consistent with the Campus Security Act. The University uses its best efforts to provide information that is both accurate and helpful, but community members should recognize that the University is able to relay information only as it is reported to DPS and/or MPD.