Cleveland State University students are on high alert after a woman said she was sexually assaulted on campus—the second assault to happen within a week.
The victim said it happened in the Science and Research Center around 10 a.m. Monday.
“A male student, we believe, has gone up to female students and told them that they have a little bit of dirt on the back of their coat, and asked them to turn around, saying I’ll wipe the dirt off for you and in the process of doing that, the touching became a little bit inappropriate,” said Joe Mosbrook, spokeperson for Cleveland State.
Last Wednesday, another female student came forward and reported being groped in an elevator of the Main Classroom Building on campus. Many students were surprised both incidents occurred during some of the busiest hours on campus.
“It’s really surprising that it happened at all, but things like that happen every day,” said freshman Jessica Johnston. “We always travel in groups, stick together. We take the interlength, so that we’re not in the street in Cleveland at nights, so it’s not really a big deal.”
Mosbrook said the university has more than 1,000 surveillance cameras on campus, and it’s close to identifying the suspect.
But that information has yet to put CSU senior Doris Williams at ease.
“Then I be wondering where’s the protection at. Half the time, the CSU police, they don’t be around, so what is a person supposed to do?,” Williams asked. “I leave here sometime at 7, 8 o’clock in the evening and I’m petrified, because I’m on public transportation, so when they do it in broad daylight, that’s really frightening.”
Mosbrook said students should stay alert and be aware of their surroundings, walk in groups in well-lit areas and avoid texting or talking on the cell phone.
He also said students can take advantage of CSU’s 24/7 Safety Escort Service, especially at night. Students can call (216) 687-2020 to be escorted or if they have any additional information about the alleged sexual assaults.