Two sexual assaults reported on campus mere days apart; university makes statement
There were two sexual assault cases reported to the UTSA Police Department earlier this week. Both occurred in on-campus housing.
November 4, 2022
Two sexual assaults were reported to the UTSA Police Department (UTSAPD) mere days apart, per information in UTSAPD’s Crime Log. According to the Crime Log, the first incident occurred on Oct. 29 at Chaparral Village and was reported on Monday, Oct. 31, at 2:26 p.m. The second occurred and was reported on Nov. 1 at 12:50 a.m. at the University Oaks Phase 1 complex.
UTSA recently released its 2022 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Among the reported statistics, rape cases rose from four in 2020 to 13 in 2021.
There is a history of UTSA failing to report crime statistics on its campus. For example, in 2020, an article from Texas Public Radio found that the university failed to report 55 crimes — including several sexual assaults and misconduct cases — based on a federal audit conducted by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General. The audit covered cases from January 2015 to December 2017.
Under The Clery Act, UTSA is required to make all data on its criminal cases available to the public. According to The Clery Center’s website, “The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly outline the policies and procedures they have put into place to improve campus safety.”
At the time of publishing, UTSAPD did not comment on their active investigations. However, UTSA’s Chief Communications Officer, Joe Izbrand, spoke on behalf of the university.
“The UTSA Police Department is conducting investigations of sexual assaults that occurred on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1,” Izbrand said. “The two incidents are unrelated. In each of the cases, the survivor and the suspect knew each other. If the survivors wish to pursue charges, the police department is prepared to file criminal complaints with the Bexar County District Attorney’s office. Both the police department and the university are making support resources available to the survivors.”
Those affected by sexual assault and dating violence in UTSA’s community can contact the PEACE Center on campus. The Center offers in-person walk-in services Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, you can contact their main line at (210) 458-4077. Their email is [email protected]. UTSA’s Safe Campus Resources and other assistance information can be found here.
