On the evening of Sunday, Nov. 3, the University of Iowa Housing and Dining staff received information that a university student was sexually assaulted in a residential room in a residence hall by an acquaintance.

This occurred between the late hours of Saturday, Nov. 2, and the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 3. University officials know the identities of both parties and are proceeding with actions in accordance with university policies. The student has requested to not proceed with a criminal investigation at this time and UI Police are respecting their decision and are not investigating this incident.

In response to this incident, the 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.

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 minimize your risk of being sexually assaulted by someone you know, it is critical to keep the following points in mind:

• Alcohol and drugs are sometimes used to create vulnerability to sexual assault and may impair yours and your acquaintance's judgment. Studies of sexual assault incidents show a high correlation between acquaintance rape and drug/alcohol usage. Keep control of your drink.
• Always trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy or sense something is wrong, do what you can to get out of that situation.
• 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 dos.uiowa.edu/policy-list/affirmative-consent-2/.
• 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: police.uiowa.edu/assets/Uploads/Sexual-Assault-Referral-Matrix.pdf. If you choose a police investigation of this crime, we will investigate, provide support, and offer related services.
• 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, we 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 police.uiowa.edu for more information. UI Police recommend people walk in groups when possible and report crimes immediately by calling 911. They also encourage people to use NITE Ride, Cambus, and other reliable transportation services and to avoid situations or circumstances that may increase the risk to their personal safety.

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.