LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — University of Kentucky Police are investigating a rape that was reported in a campus residence hall. UKPD says more than half of all college sexual assaults happen during the fall semester.
The University of Kentucky Police Department says a female student reported she was sexually assaulted by a male student sometime between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Sunday. Investigators say the victim knew the suspect in the reported attack.
The Violence Intervention and Prevention Center on UK's campus is a resource for victims. "We focus on folks who have experienced interpersonal violence. So, for us here, we define that as dating violence, domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and harassment," Director Taryn Henning said.
UKPD says more than half of sexual assaults on college campuses happen from August to November. The VIP Center says this time period is called the 'red zone.'
"We try to be careful around saying why that happens because ultimately the reason that sexual violence happens is because the perpetrator decides to perpetrate," Henning said.
The university is reminding students to be vigilant and look out for each other. "The amount of freshman that we got this year, I think everyone just wants to make new friends and not all good friends. They want to be good friends. And you could really find yourself at the wrong place at the right time," Jewel Weatherington, a junior at UK, said.
The university offers a safety escort and can be contacted at 859-257-SAFE.
