On Friday, Sept. 18, Kirkwood Community College issued an alert warning that a sexual assault had occurred on campus at approximately 3:15 p.m. the day prior.
According to the Kirkwood Alert, “The reporting party stated that they met an individual in the area around Ballantyne Auditorium and later agreed to meet with him elsewhere in the building. The individual led the reporting party into a secluded stairwell, where he allegedly engaged in unwanted sexual contact by grabbing the reporting party without consent.
The reporting party was able to leave the area and subsequently reported the incident. The individual has not been identified at this time.”
According to Director of Public Safety David Heffer, as of press time, the perpetrator has not yet been identified, and the investigation is ongoing.
Heffer offered personal safety advice and emphasized the importance of students listening to their instincts.
“Students should remain aware of their surroundings and trust their instincts when a person or situation makes them uncomfortable,” said Heffer. “They should not feel obligated to remain in a conversation, meeting or physical interaction that makes them uncomfortable.”
He continued, “We encourage students to establish clear personal boundaries, stay in populated or well-lit areas when possible and let others know where they are going when meeting someone they do not know well.”
Heffer emphasized, “Responsibility for inappropriate or criminal sexual contact rests with the person engaging in that conduct. These safety recommendations are intended to provide students with options and should not be interpreted as placing responsibility on someone who experiences sexual misconduct.”
Campus Resource Officer Landon Einck highlighted the importance of reporting suspicious behavior to either Public Safety or the police.
“When students call into Public Safety and report anything, it’s almost immediate,” he said. “I have my Cedar Rapids Police Department radio here and my Public Safety radio here; the second that’s called in Public Safety is alerting us, and between myself and two Public Safety officers, we are both going to that area of concern to alleviate the situation.”
Einck said there are also blue emergency poles around campus that feature emergency phone lines that put the caller in immediate contact with Public Safety.
Students can reach Kirkwood Public Safety 24/7 at 319-398-7777. Kirkwood also has a Title IX team designed to support students who have been impacted by sexual violence. Students can contact the Title IX team by calling the Dean of Students Office at 319-398-5540.
Categories: News
