Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: News
Student victim of off-campus sexual assault
DPS issues alert after female student sexually assaulted near 4000 block of Spruce Street
Emily Babay
A female student was sexually assaulted early yesterday morning inside an apartment on the 4000 block of Spruce Street, prompting the Division of Public Safety to issue an alert late last night.
Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said that police believe the assault was a stranger-rape, but that she could not provide any additional details.
Philadelphia Police Sgt. Francis Erickson of the Special Victims Unit said the rape occurred at about 5 a.m. yesterday.
He said the victim was not injured but would not say if she had gone to a hospital for treatment. He would not release further details because police are in the preliminary stages of their investigation.
Penn and Philadelphia police have increased patrols and CCTV surveillance in the area of the assault.
While incidences of acquaintance-rape - in which the victim knows her attacker - have occurred occasionally on campus, Rush said it was only the third incident of stranger-rape that she can recall since she came to Penn in 1994.
Female students who live off-campus said they were concerned by the assault and were planning to take extra precautions in the coming days.
College senior Alisse Hauspurg, president of Delta Delta Delta, whose chapter house is located at 40th and Spruce streets, said the house plans to activate its alarm system and has alerted members to be on guard.
"We have the appropriate safety measures in place," she said. "There's no need to be overly paranoid."
When told of the rape, College junior Sarah Kaminetsky, who lives on 41st Street, said she was "shocked," adding that the incident makes her "want to be more careful about walking alone at night."
Police learned of the rape late Monday afternoon, Rush said.
The woman and her roommates are receiving support from the Division of Public Safety's Special Services department.
Rush urged students to be cautious, lock doors and use available safety services.
An e-mail circulated on several University listservs late last night that described a separate incident involving a security guard, but it appears that those two incidents are not related. DPS officials could not be reached as of press time to comment on that incident.
Anyone with additional information or who needs support services should call the DPS Special Services Department at 215-898-6600.
Staff writer Anthony Campisi contributed reporting to this article.
Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said that police believe the assault was a stranger-rape, but that she could not provide any additional details.
Philadelphia Police Sgt. Francis Erickson of the Special Victims Unit said the rape occurred at about 5 a.m. yesterday.
He said the victim was not injured but would not say if she had gone to a hospital for treatment. He would not release further details because police are in the preliminary stages of their investigation.
Penn and Philadelphia police have increased patrols and CCTV surveillance in the area of the assault.
While incidences of acquaintance-rape - in which the victim knows her attacker - have occurred occasionally on campus, Rush said it was only the third incident of stranger-rape that she can recall since she came to Penn in 1994.
Female students who live off-campus said they were concerned by the assault and were planning to take extra precautions in the coming days.
College senior Alisse Hauspurg, president of Delta Delta Delta, whose chapter house is located at 40th and Spruce streets, said the house plans to activate its alarm system and has alerted members to be on guard.
"We have the appropriate safety measures in place," she said. "There's no need to be overly paranoid."
When told of the rape, College junior Sarah Kaminetsky, who lives on 41st Street, said she was "shocked," adding that the incident makes her "want to be more careful about walking alone at night."
Police learned of the rape late Monday afternoon, Rush said.
The woman and her roommates are receiving support from the Division of Public Safety's Special Services department.
Rush urged students to be cautious, lock doors and use available safety services.
An e-mail circulated on several University listservs late last night that described a separate incident involving a security guard, but it appears that those two incidents are not related. DPS officials could not be reached as of press time to comment on that incident.
Anyone with additional information or who needs support services should call the DPS Special Services Department at 215-898-6600.
Staff writer Anthony Campisi contributed reporting to this article.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 53
OMG
posted 11/13/07 @ 8:26 AM EST
Just when we thought it is was bad, it got worse..........
Josh
posted 11/13/07 @ 8:26 AM EST
Perhaps students living off campus should think about getting a gun? May be then the headline would be "Rapist in stable condition after being shot by victim". (Continued…)
John
posted 11/13/07 @ 8:35 AM EST
Fire Maureen Rush. Noooow.
Grad Student
posted 11/13/07 @ 8:38 AM EST
4000 Spruce, Pine, and Baltimore have always been dangerous. When I was a First Year student I noticed police and security all over the area. Since the murder I have been looking for safety people and I haven't noticed anyone for some time. (Continued…)
jeanne
posted 11/13/07 @ 8:41 AM EST
I take offense at a male police office saying the woman was not 'injured.' Although Sgt. Erikson may not have meant the statement as it came across, any rape IS a serious injury. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 11/13/07 @ 9:23 AM EST
The article is devoid of detail and the term "sexual assault" covers a wide range of conduct, including conduct which is nowhere near rape. I am not suggesting this incident was inconsenquential but what actually happened is not known. (Continued…)
Maureen Devine
posted 11/13/07 @ 9:26 AM EST
Last spring I was looking for the building my student was interested in renting with friends 2007-08 on the 4000 block of Spruce. As I approached it I saw the door wide open. (Continued…)
Nervous girl
posted 11/13/07 @ 9:34 AM EST
I got that email about the "separate" incident, and it involved a guy dressed in a security guard's uniform exposing himself to a girl he had walked home last night. (Continued…)
Security removed from Market Street
posted 11/13/07 @ 9:40 AM EST
Security Guards which were once present on Market Street are now gone. Penn has cut back security on the periphery, yet they have a security guard and crossing cop standing in front of the brightly lit bookstore entrance. (Continued…)
Karen
posted 11/13/07 @ 9:43 AM EST
Why didn't she just use her weapon?
How these dimwitted, naive Penn students have the arrogance to not own a gun or taser, is beyond me. What is this, lollipop land?
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