CPD investigates rape report
No arrests have been made, but police are looking for evidence.
Published Feb. 5, 2010
An MU student reported being raped outside the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity last Friday, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jessie Haden said.
The victim said she was at a party at Tau Kappa Epsilon around midnight Jan. 29 and was waiting by the front door to catch a ride, Haden said. The victim then said a man from the party took her hand and led her around the house. Haden said the victim tried to pull away but could not.
"She said he pulled down her pants and raped her," Haden said. "(After it happened) she walked down the driveway and caught a ride and left."
The victim did not contact CPD until 8:30 p.m. Jan. 30 and had already gone to University Hospital to receive a sexual assault kit, Haden said. Police were able to collect her clothes from the incident for evidence.
The victim described the suspect to be 5 feet 6 inches but was not able to identify any other features, Haden said. The department does believe there was alcohol involved.
Haden also said officers went to the fraternity to investigate for any possible evidence.
"We didn't find anything that was evidentiary," Haden said. "We handed the case over to the Investigative Division."
It's hard to say whether incidents of sexual assault are more likely to occur at Greek houses, Haden said. A large factor to sexual assaults is the social setting.
"When we talk about acquaintance sexual assault, it is more likely for it to happen where there are young people in a social setting," Haden said. "It's not necessarily because it's a fraternity but because it's where young people get together socially."
The last rape report in Greektown was at Delta Tau Delta on Nov. 7, 2009, Haden said. The victim of the incident did know the suspect and said he was very tall. Haden said it does seem like alcohol was factor as well, but it is unlikely the suspect is the same in both incidents.
"It does not look like it's the same suspect," Haden said.
As of Thursday, there have been no updates in the investigation and no arrests have been made, Haden said.
Greek Life Director Janna Basler, Interfraternity Council adviser Julie Drury and Tau Kappa Epsilon President Mark Hughes could not be reached for comment.
IFC spokesman Danny Ritz said he was unable to provide any additional information.
8:34 p.m., Feb. 8, 2010
Nora said:
To say that a large factor in sexual assaults is due to the social setting and not due to frat parties is a poor statement from a police officer, and almost a brush off to the crime. Columbia police are looking the other way while privileged young boys take advantage of whoever they can. Ya'll suck.