Three sex-related crimes in the past three weeks have been reported on or around the campus of East Tennessee State University.

The latest occurred on Friday, Sept. 8, near University Edge, a nearby apartment complex to the university where many students live. An ETSU Alert email was sent out to students at 6:27 a.m. described three white male suspects in a white SUV.

Prior to Friday night’s report, there were two separate sex-related crimes that occurred on Aug. 28. According to the ETSU Public Safety Department, one of the incidents occurred in an on-campus residence hall room where a non-student female minor reported she was a victim of a statutory rape. The alleged male suspect was arrested following the incident.

The other incident that occurred on Aug. 28 was non-related. At 3 p.m. Public Safety received a report from a female student of forcible fondling/sexual assault in a vehicle in a residence hall parking lot area from a male student acquaintance.

Public Safety continues to investigate these incidents.

University Public Safety offers the following safety tips:

  • Be an active bystander. When you observe conflict or unacceptable behavior, take steps to make a difference:

assess the situation, evaluate options, and select a strategy for response. That could include reporting suspicious persons

or behavior to Public Safety or the local police. Learn about Buccaneer Bystander Intervention options.

  • A U.S. Department of Justice report cited studies indicating that the majority of campus sexual assaults are by an

acquaintance (Krebs, et al., 2007).

  • Alcohol and other drugs are often used to create vulnerability to sexual assault. Studies have shown a high correlation

between acquaintance/non stranger rape and the use of alcohol and other drugs. If the use of alcohol or other drugs

is being encouraged, be aware and alert.

  • Learn more about University resources, many of which can be found at:

http://www.etsu.edu/violencefree

http://www.etsu.edu/safety

Author

  • Garrett Tumlin

    Garrett Tumlin is a senior majoring in journalism with a minor in sports management. He is vice president of ETSU’s Black Affairs Association and a leader for Quest. He is also a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A Chattanooga native, Tumlin has always loved writing and sports and is excited to be an athletics writer for the East Tennessean. He also works for BucTV. More recently, Tumlin has started working at the Herald & Tribune in Jonesborough. He loves basketball and his favorite NBA team is the Celtics.

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