Jacob Fuhrer |
Public Safety is urging students to be cautious as they travel to and from campus after a reported sexual assault involving a UP student last Sunday.
The 20-year-old female victim left a party to walk home Saturday night. She told police a man sexually assaulted her after she got into what she thought was a taxi cab near N Columbia Blvd.
Peter Simpson, public information officer for Portland Police, said the Sex Crimes Unit is now investigating the incident, which occurred sometime before 4 a.m. on Sunday when police responded to the victim’s home after she was dropped off by the suspect.
The victim did not require medical attention, police said.
Gerry Gregg, director of Public Safety, said the initial call about the incident came to his office from a neighbor who was then referred to Portland Police. Gregg issued a mass email Monday to alert students and staff to the potential danger.
While these incidents can be alarming, police say they’re uncommon.
“The Portland Police Bureau would like to remind community members that reports of this nature fortunately are a rare occurrence,” Simpson wrote in an email.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic or Middle Eastern man in his 40s with black hair and an accent.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Sex Crimes Unit detectives at (503) 823-0400.
Resources
* Multnomah County Victims' Assistance Program: Provides support during the reporting of sexual assaults and referrals to victim services and resources: (503) 988-3270. * Portland Women's Crisis Line (PWCL): Provides access to advocacy services, including confidential peer support, information and referrals to community resources: 24 hour crisis line: (503) 235-5333, or 1-888-235-5333. * Project UNICA - (Proyecto UNICA): Provides access to advocacy services for Spanish-speaking survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 24 hour crisis line: (503) 232-4448, or 1-888-232-4448.
Additionally, the Portland Police Bureau WomenStrength, GirlStrength and BoyStrength programs provide free self-defense classes and personal safety workshops to people around the Portland area.
To learn more information about these programs, call (503) 823-0260 or visit http://www.portlandonline.com/police/womenstrength
Jacob Fuhrer is a reporter for The Beacon. He can be reached at fuhrer17@up.edu.
