University of Kentucky student sexually assaulted, strangled in dorm, university says
A University of Kentucky student was strangled and sexually assaulted by another student in an on-campus residence hall Tuesday, the university reported.
Both the victim and the suspect are UK students, and the suspect is known to the victim, according to a report received by the UK Police Department on Sept. 3. The gender of the victim and suspect were not provided.
The fall semester began Aug. 26.
“UK Police is actively investigating this matter, and the appropriate campus units are working with individuals involved to provide resources and support,” the university said in a crime bulletin issued on Wednesday evening.
The university offers several supports for students who have experienced sexual assault, or need mental health support. Free and confidential survivor support is provided through the Violence and Intervention Prevention Center, which can be contacted by calling 859-257-3574 or visiting uky.edu/vipcenter.
Other resources are available through the Office of Student Success, https://studentsuccess.uky.edu/get-help.
Incidents of harassment or sexual assault also can be reported to the Title IX Coordinator by calling 859-257-8927 or visiting the website at oeo.uky.edu. To report an incident of sexual assault to campus police, the UK Police Department Special Victim’s Unit can be contacted by calling 859-257-8573.
“Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault,” the crime bulletin said. “The only person responsible for sexual misconduct is the perpetrator.”
The crime bulletin was issued on Wednesday in compliance with the Clery Act, which requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to notify students of any crime that “represents a serious or continuing threat to the safety of the campus community,” according to the UK police department website.
Sexual assault is defined as rape, fondling, incest or statutory rape, according to UK’s most recent Campus Safety and Security Report.