By Andy Shah
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Two members of the UCLA community were sexually assaulted
Wednesday evening within a one hour period, triggering a police
investigation into what they call a highly unusual case.
While both victims are reported to be in good condition,
university police are especially on alert because the second attack
was an attempted rape by a person unknown by police, which
officials characterize as rare. Also, both attacks occurred
relatively early and in public areas.
The first victim, believed to be a staff member, was attacked
around 5:55 p.m. in a Schoenberg Hall bathroom. The suspect hid
himself and put his hands around the victim’s mouth when she
was at the sink. He threatened and sexually assaulted her, but she
screamed and the suspect ran away.
At around 6:50 p.m., police believe the same man entered a
Boelter Hall bathroom, ordered the victim to lie down and
threatened her. UCPD officials said she was able to talk her way
out of it.
The suspect is described as an African American man in his late
20s or early 30s, with medium complexion, stocky build, no facial
hair, shaved head, brown eyes, 5 foot 10 inches, and between
170-200 pounds. Witnesses said he wore a light gray hooded
sweatshirt, possibly a jacket, dark shirt and baggy black
pants.
The suspect’s description does not match the profile of a
man who groped several women between August and December of last
year, said Nancy Greenstein, director of community service for
UCPD.
Sheriffs appeared on campus Wednesday with search dogs,
attempting to determine the suspect’s trail. While the
investigation proceeds, extra community service officers have been
dispatched around campus.
Last year only two attempted rapes by unknown people were
reported and even those were off campus at the Medical Center. In
1999, seven rapes and one attempted rape were reported to UCPD.
Greenstein and campus officials said community involvement is
vital in catalyzing the investigation.
“If a person sees something suspicious or hears something
that doesn’t sound right they need to call the police or take
some type of proactive steps,” she said. “People say,
“˜We always hear noises and screams’ but don’t
always check them out.”
Both Greenstein and Tina Oakland, director of the Center for
Women and Men, emphasized this point because the attacks occurred
in public areas while people were around.
“If you go into a bathroom at 6 p.m., you don’t
expect a problem,” Greenstein said. “But if more people
can do things in pairs for now, that is sure to help.”
Greenstein and Oakland are creating a task force to discuss the
best ways to get information about sexual assaults and similar
incidents out to as many people as possible.
Though the center organizes domestic violence, sexual violence
and self-defense workshops throughout the year, Oakland said she
understands why attendance can be scant, even after a series of
assaults.
“People don’t think they need them because they
don’t plan on being assaulted ““ no one does,”
Oakland said.
“We’ve all become deadened to car alarms, whistles,
and screams,’ she continued. “We’re all busy and
it’s easy to think, “˜Oh, whatever.’ It’s
not a matter of blame, but it’s helpful if the campus
community has a heightened awareness that our safety is the
responsibility of all of us.”
UCPD is urging everyone to walk in groups and to constantly be
aware of their surroundings. The department also recommends
students call a CSO to walk them home after dark.
Sharlene Shah, a third-year political science student, said she
exercises caution at night but was surprised the attacks occurred
in public areas.
“I don’t walk alone at night after 8
o’clock,” she said. “But as far as going to the
bathroom, I wouldn’t think of using extra precautions.
It’s scary to hear this, because you’d think UCLA is
generally safe during the day.”
Oakland acknowledged it is difficult to distinguish between
necessary precautions and burdensome restrictions.
“There is a fine line between when all the things you have
to do to be safe get prohibitive and when, at the same time,
you’re doing all the steps to be safe,’ she said.
“There is no easy answer.”
To report any tips or suspicious behavior, call UCPD at
825-1491. For more information on workshops organized by the Center
for Women and Men, call 825-3945 or go to http://www.thecenter.ucla.edu.
SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON CAMPUS Several sexual
assaults, attempted rape and attempted sexual assaults took place
on campus in recent months, with the latest incidents occurring
Wednesday evening. WHEN WHERE WHAT SUSPECT Jan. 10 6 p.m. Bathroom
in Schoenberg Music Building sexual assault 5’10” African American
man with stocky build, shaved head and medium complexion Jan. 10
6:50 p.m. Boelter Hallbathroom attempted rape Same as above
description Dec. 1 11 p.m. 500 block of Veteran sexual assault
5’8” Latino or white man Nov. 28 De Neve Drive, near Bellagio
attempted rape 5’6” to 5’9” African American man Nov. 24 Young
Drive North, between De Neve and Westwood sexual assault 5’8” to
5’10” Latino or African American man in his early 20s August,
Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 3:50 and 4:30 p.m. Lots 2 and 3 six
incidents of sexual assault August, two consecutive Saturdays,
early afternoon Lot 2 and intersection of Young Dr. North and Royce
Dr. two incidents of sexual assault SOURCE: UCPD Original by MAGGIE
WOO/Daily Bruin Web adaption by MONICA KWONG/Daily Bruin Senior
Staff