The University of Minnesota Office for Fraternity and Sorority Life responded to reports of an alleged rape at a campus fraternity early Sunday.
“Our office is concerned that this took place, and we are concerned for the well-being of the victim-survivor,” director Matt Levine said in a statement.
The office is currently gathering information and will follow up with Minneapolis police and the University Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, the statement said.
Interfraternity Council President Spencer Olson also released a statement in response to the alleged assault.
“Unfortunately, we have received very little information regarding the situation, but we will be sure to work with local law enforcement along with the University to hold anyone involved accountable for these unacceptable actions that might have occurred,” the statement said.
The 19-year-old victim was found near the University Armory around 1 a.m. Sunday. Paramedics transported her to Hennepin County Medical Center, according to a Minneapolis police report.
She refused medical treatment at HCMC and was uncooperative with providing information on the assault, the report said. The incident was filed as a rape.
Minneapolis police have closed the case pending more information or leads, the report said.
Victims of rape often decline to report assaults, Aurora Center director Katie Eichele said.
Less than 5 percent of college rape victims report the incident to police, primarily because the victims know their attacker, have consumed alcohol or are ashamed of the incident, Eichele said.
“[Victims] are the recipients of a lot of blame and judgment,” she said. “The fear of not being believed is a huge indicator of why someone might not report to the police.”
The Aurora Center provides crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking and harassment. The center serves about 400 people each year.
Eichele noted that the center allows victims to make their own decisions about what to do following a sexual assault.
“We offer options, not advice,” she said. “Whatever that victim-survivor feels will be best is what we will help facilitate.”
Despite the high number of sexual assaults that go unreported to police, Eichele said neither she nor the staff at the center judge the decisions made by victims.
“I respect the decision to either report, and they are brave,” she said. “Or to not report, and the victim-survivor is also brave.”
