Five Northwestern students were drugged and three of them sexually assaulted at two on-campus fraternity houses, according to allegations by the university.
Some of the alleged incidents took place at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s fraternity house January 21, however, they were not reported to the Northwestern’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Office until last Thursday.
According to ABC, four girls fear that they were date raped at the event and two say they were sexually assaulted after being given drugs. Another anonymous report alleges that a fifth girl was drugged and sexually assaulted at another fraternity house February 2.
Via ABC:
Northwestern University students are on alert after the school received two separate reports that female students may have been given a date-rape drug at two different fraternities. Some of those women said they were sexually assaulted.
One of the fraternities named is Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Its national office is on Northwestern’s campus in north suburban Evanston. SAE officials said Tuesday morning the fraternity is working with the university on the investigation.
Northwestern posted an alert on its website that said on Feb. 2, the Sexual Harassment Prevention Office received a report that on Jan. 21, four female students who attended an event at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house and were possibly given a date rape drug.
In addition, on Feb. 3, the university received an anonymous report alleging that on the previous night, a female student was sexually assaulted, possibly involving the use of a date rape drug, after attending an event at another fraternity house.
Northwestern said it is concerned about the safety and wellbeing of its students and it is investigating the reports, and issued a security alert in light of the allegations.
Northwestern Official Statement:
Warning: This alert addresses reports of sexual assault and the use of date rape drugs.
On February 2, 2017, the Sexual Harassment Prevention Office received a report that on January 21, 2017, four female students attending an event at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house in Evanston were possibly given a date-rape drug. The report alleges that two of the students believe they were also sexually assaulted. In addition, on February 3, 2017, the University received an anonymous report alleging that on February 2, 2017, a female student was sexually assaulted, possibly involving use of a date-rape drug, after attending an event at another fraternity house. The report is unclear as to where the assault may have occurred.
The University’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Office is conducting an inquiry into these reports, and anyone with knowledge of these alleged incidents is urged to contact the Title IX Coordinator at [email protected] or University Police, see http://www.northwestern.edu/up/about/contact/report-a-crime.html.
Anyone who observes a situation in which a member of the University community may be at risk should interrupt the chain of events or seek help. All Northwestern community members should look out for one another and ensure that everyone is safe. Any member of the Northwestern community who believes they or someone else is at risk should immediately call Northwestern University Police at 847-491-3456 or Evanston Police by dialing 9-1-1, or by using a Blue Light emergency telephone.
The Northwestern University Policy on Sexual Misconduct requires all employees, including student employees, as well as non-employees with teaching or supervisory authority, to report sexual misconduct of which they become aware in the scope of their work for the University to the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator, unless they are a resource listed in Appendix D of the Policy on Sexual Misconduct, found at http://www.northwestern.edu/sexual-misconduct/university-policy/sexual-misconduct-policy.html.
The only people responsible for sexual misconduct or any other crime are the perpetrators. It is a violation of University policy and the law to engage in sexual contact without consent, as is the use of illegal drugs. The University Policy on Sexual Misconduct, including the definition of consent, can be found at www.northwestern.edu/sexual-misconduct/docs/sexual_misconduct_policy.pdf.
Northwestern University is concerned about the safety and well-being of its students, faculty and staff and about incidents of sexual misconduct, harassment or violence (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking).
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