Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Student Assaulted in ICC

A female Georgetown University student was sexually assaulted in the Intercultural Center building on Sunday Oct. 26 at approximately 4:30 a.m., according to an email sent out by the Georgetown University Police Department. The assailant, an acquaintance of the survivor, is not affiliated with Georgetown University.

According to GUPD Chief Jay Gruber, the survivor reached out to GUPD through alternative channels, which he did not disclose, on Saturday at approximately 4:30 p.m., about a week after the incident occurred.

Gruber said that all buildings on campus are supposed to be locked or GoCard-protected at night, but sometimes locks do not work or students prop open doors, preventing the doors from remaining locked.

“The ICC is not supposed to be open 24-7, it’s supposed to be locked down. But sometimes infrastructure doesn’t cooperate with us,” Gruber said.

There are CCTV cameras set up inside the ICC, but the location of the assault in the ICC has not been disclosed.

Gruber said that throughout his time here at Georgetown, he has never seen a similar sexual assault reported.

“In the tenure that I’ve been there, there have been [sexual assault incidents] in residence halls, but to my recollection, there’s never been in an academic or administrative building,” Gruber said.

According to Gruber, Georgetown’s sexual assault protocol allows the survivor to choose whether or not he or she wants GUPD to contact the Metropolitan Police Department.

“If the survivor comes to us and tells us they don’t want to participate in a criminal investigation, then the survivor doesn’t have to,” he said.

As the investigation is ongoing, Gruber declined to comment on any details of the investigation, including whether or not MPD would be involved or whether the survivor will be pressing charges with MPD.

MPD could not provide further information as of press time.

View Comments (10)
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  • H

    hoyalumDec 10, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    The Georgetown community deserves follow-up reporting on this story. Is there a rapist on the loose? Are students in danger?

    Shall we assume that the survivor did not press charges because we would have read about it in the Hoya?

    Reply
  • H

    hoyaNov 5, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    This was not an “unwelcome hug,” but rather a violent rape. Entering the ICC was not done with the intention of hooking up, but with the intention of using the restroom. Also, jokes that the ICC is supposed to be locked. Has anyone ever been locked out? The door sure wasn’t propped open either.

    Reply
    • H

      hoyalumNov 7, 2014 at 12:54 pm

      Hoya did not report a “violent rape”

      Reply
      • H

        hoyaNov 10, 2014 at 11:44 am

        as the person this article is about, I’m telling you that’s what it was

        Reply
        • H

          hoyalumNov 12, 2014 at 9:29 am

          I am so sorry… my thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope the rapist does serious time in jail+

          I wonder why the Hoya reported this so vaguely.

          Reply
  • H

    hoyalumNov 5, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    What was the nature of the assault? Rape? Groping? Unwelcome hug? Sounds pretty grave if the Hoya is referring to the victim as a “survivor”.

    Reply
    • H

      hoya alumnaNov 6, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Does it matter? Is she any less of a survivor or any less worthy of our sympathy and prayers if it was “just” groping? All sexual assault is “grave.”

      Hoping and praying that she’ll be able to get through all of this.

      Reply
      • H

        hoyalumNov 7, 2014 at 12:59 pm

        Yes and yes. You may call a pat on the rear end a “grave” assault (which is an insult to rape victims) but our society disagrees with you (through the laws that it’s representatives pass). Jerks don’t get years in jail for that as they shouldn’t.

        Reply
  • C

    C2012Nov 4, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    I’m certainly shocked, but not too surprised this happened in the ICC. During my tenure at Georgetown the ICC was known as a place of last (or first!) resorts for hook ups. It’s unfortunate that the facility is so accessible as to allow this scenario to have played out.

    Reply
  • C

    C2014Nov 4, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    My heart goes out to this girl. I hope that she gets the support she needs and deserves from the Georgetown community.

    Reply