On Nov. 17, the University of Iowa Housing and Dining staff received a report from a student that on Nov. 9 the student was sexually assaulted at an off-campus fraternity house.

The student stated she first met the assailant prior to the student's attendance at the UI, and on Nov. 9 they met downtown and the assailant agreed to walk her home but instead they went to the off-campus fraternity house, where she was sexually assaulted.

At this time the reporting party has decided not to report the incident to law enforcement, and UI Police are respecting her decision.

In response to this incident, UI Police are providing the following information on acquaintance sexual assaults. This information is general in nature and has no relation to this specific incident. Victims are never responsible for the offenders' behavior.

It is estimated that nationwide one in every four to five college women will be the victim of a sexual assault or attempted sexual assault. Please be advised:

The most common type of sexual assault is not a stranger but someone the victim knows, typically a date or acquaintance. To help decrease the risk of sexual assault in our community, it may be helpful to keep the following in mind:

• Alcohol and drugs are often used to create vulnerability to sexual assault. Studies of sexual assault incidents show a high correlation between acquaintance rape and drug/alcohol usage.
• Be alert to people pressuring you or others to use a drug or alcohol. Always trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy or sense something is wrong, do what you can to get out of that situation. Be an active bystander if you see others in harm's way; call the police to ask for assistance.
• If you engage in sex, be sure you understand your partner's limits, and communicate your own limits clearly. Don't engage in sexual activities without affirmative consent from your partner. For more information see: http://dos.uiowa.edu/policy-list/affirmative-consent-2/
• Use and encourage others to have a companion or a safe means of getting home, i.e., a trusted friend, taxi, Cambus or Nite Ride if available.
• If you are sexually assaulted, you have several options; please see related information at this website: http://police.uiowa.edu/assets/Uploads/Sexual-Assault-Referral-Matrix.pdf

You can reach a 24-hour confidential victim advocate at 319-335-6000.

If you choose a police investigation of this crime, UI Police will investigate, provide support, and offer related services. UI officials encourage everyone to report crimes immediately by calling 911. Sex offenses are treated with the greatest seriousness on our campus; criminal and/or severe disciplinary action can be taken. If a criminal case is brought, law enforcement will support you as much as possible as you pursue it.

In the case of disciplinary action, it is our university's commitment that a victim shall be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sex offense.

UI Police offer Rape Aggression Defense courses as well as personal safety information through a Crime Prevention Specialist. See http://police.uiowa.edu for more information.

This information is being released in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The Clery Act requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses, including timely warnings of crimes that may represent a threat to the safety of students or employees.