By: Daiyu Tang
It appears that the Columtreal Campus has something of a safety problem at the moment and it’s not clear what meaningful measures the Dean or the CUPD are taking. The Observer was approached by a student who wanted to talk to us about what happened to her at one of the Sorority Houses.
This follows on from our interview with a different student just a week or so ago who had also suffered an attack. We have blurred the identity of this student and also given her a pseudonym to help protect her identity.
Jen: “You came… Thank you, I wanted to share my story…”
Observer: “Are you sure you want to have this covered? The CUPD and the Student Support Office may be able to assist more, although obviously for a wider warning and awareness… the paper can help…”
Jen: “Yes… I understand and it’s the right thing to do… I’m Jen, I have details about my assailant which could help other female students avoid him at all costs and learn from my… hurt.”
Observer: “So ok, then let’s start, Jen, may I ask then what it is that happened and by whom?”
Jen: “I was assaulted on Tuesday this week by a man who entered the Sorority girls house. I am a new member and I recently came to Hathian to study here. I never got the mans name.”
This would have been Tuesday 27th August when this happened.
Observer: “Ok.. but there are a lot of men around the place… I mean… You were at this party and this guy came in and then what happened?”
Jen: “Well there was no party, it happened in the early hours of the morning when campus was empty I went to change into my uniform when I heard someone open the bathroom door, I thought I was the only one on campus but I was wrong just then this fat guy came into the bathroom as I was in the middle of changing. He then tricked me into a false hazing I let my guard down but I asked why he was in the house when no event was going on. he ignored that and grabbed me.”
It was obviously hard for ‘Jen’ as she was in tears by this point. The Observer of course referred her to the CU Clinic for further support if she had not already approached them.
Observer: “Ok, so not part of a party and therefore we can assume alcohol and dubious consent defences or lines of attack can’t be used… A fat guy… Why would a guy be able to haze in a sorority house?”
Jen: “He said something about training me to haze which I knew was a lie but he cornered me before I could even run for the door. That’s when he grabbed me, dragged me to the bed stripping me of my clothes and hurt me. He assaulted me and beat me I ended up in a coma for 2 days after falling in the middle of Hathian I already had filed a police report with HPD.”
Observer: “I see… so sorry, he beat you and you later collapsed in Hathian? Who did you report it to, did you get a name or badge number?”
Jen: “It was Jaina or something she was very professional and I would like to thank her for taking my report and passing it to the HPD. I really hope that my case comes to light and my assailant bought to justice.”
Observer: “So apologies, can we go back to this man? Fat… but age, clothes, race… all that would be helpful and I’d assume there are cameras at the Sorority? Did HPD ask for any images?”
Jen: “Yes I remember more about him now, aside from being Fat he was white and probably Caucasian, had a beard. He was wearing an open green shirt with hair exposed around his body, also had sandals and blue pants, he looked like a stereotype version of a landlord if I am being honest. But he definitely wasn’t a landlord or at least that I don’t know.”..
Observer: “Ok that’s helpful, and so, last question… I guess what has been the impact on you and what do you want to happen? Besides him being arrested what about your wellbeing, your feelings at CU, those kind of things… how can your story help reach other young women?”
“Well the Impact it has had on me was trauma and nightmares… I will still come to CU, but I think young women on campus should walk in groups to make things feel safer… They should carry Mace Spray as well if not in a Group. Maybe I’ll start a movement about this. The goal would be to spread awareness of security… maybe get more cameras around campus. I feel he attacked me because of my ethnicity and background…”
Jen
We wish all students safety on campus while highlighting that trafficking to Laveau, disappearances and general poor behaviour remains common. If you are approached by someone you don’t know, in a quiet place, consider if you are safe and if not leave. Remember students may be seen as easy targets by Hathian or Laveau criminals; do not be dazzled by flashy cars, or bundles of cash bought with drugs and death from those areas. Your life and safety is paramount. If you need further advice contact CUPD or one of the student councils.
