Timely Warning Crime Bulletin - Rape in Student Housing

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This Timely Warning Bulletin is being issued in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act and the purpose is to provide preventative information to the campus community to aid members from becoming the victim of a similar crime.

The University Police Department is investigating the report of a rape of a female student in student housing. The crime occurred between the hours of 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, and was reported to University Police on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. The victim was walking back to her residence with a friend. On the way, they met two males (non-students) whom they invited back to their student housing residence, where one of the males in a separate room raped the victim.

Suspect: Hispanic male, early 20’s, tall and muscular build, short brown hair and brown eyes, closely groomed mustache and beard. He was last seen wearing a baseball cap, blue jeans, and t-shirt of an unknown color.

If you have any information that might be helpful in this investigation, please contact University Police at 760-750-4567.

If you wish, you may report anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers (888) 580-8477.

Prevention Tips:

Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not an invitation for sexual activity. A person who is incapacitated due to the influence of alcohol or drugs is not able to consent to sexual activity.
Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut. If you see a situation in which a person may be assaulted, contact law enforcement immediately by dialing 911.
Be part of the solution. If you see a behavior that you think will likely lead to a sexual assault, speak up, take action, be part of the solution.

Find additional safety and prevention tips at www.rainn.org RAINN – “Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network”

CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT: Victims of any form of sexual harassment or assault are strongly encouraged to seek confidential support at CSUSM’s Student Health and Counseling Center, located in Chavez Circle at the intersection of Campus Way and Campus View Drive, 760-750-4915. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:45 pm. Victims may also contact CSUSM’s Sexual Violence Advocate and Educator, Christa Wencl, at the Student Health and Counseling Center Building or by calling 760-750-4915. Off campus, The Center for Community Solutions offers a 24-Hour toll free County-wide crisis line for crisis intervention and information referrals related to sexual assault in San Diego at 1-888-385-4657 (FREE). More information is available at http://www.ccssd.org. Reporting to a confidential counselor or sexual assault advocate WILL NOT RESULT IN A REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR THE UNIVERSITY. These counseling professionals are required by law to keep your identity and information confidential.

REPORTING TO THE UNIVERSITY: We also encourage victims and witnesses to report sexual misconduct to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, who can help provide resources, support and remedies, as well as determine whether the University needs to take further action to make victims, witnesses, and the rest of the campus community safe, as well as take steps to prevent a reoccurrence and eliminate sexual misconduct. Please contact Dr. Bridget Blanshan, CSUSM Title IX Coordinator, at 760-750-6020. Information about Victim Rights and Options may also be found on the University’s Title IX website: http://www.csusm.edu/title9.