A fraternity at the center of a reported sexual assault just off the University of Chicago campus over the weekend released a statement Wednesday detailing what it said happened the night of the incident.
The Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity Lambda Chapter said it was “deeply disturbed by the sexual assault,” writing “we condemn this violence unequivocally.”
“Our concern is first and foremost for the person harmed, whose privacy and dignity we ask everyone to respect,” the fraternity said in a statement.
Over the weekend, a 21-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted just feet away from the U of C campus at a fraternity house. In an email to students, campus officials said the victim, who isn’t affiliated with the university, was attending a party at the house at the time.
Officials said someone intervened, and the suspect ran from the scene. The victim was subsequently taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment.
A person of interest was identified Tuesday and has been banned from school grounds, university officials announced. In a message to students, school officials said the unnamed individual was not a U of C student and was not affiliated with the university.
The house where the incident happened is associated with Alpha Epsilon Pi, whose national organization has said it is cooperating with the investigation, writing, in part, “Pending the results of that investigation, the chapter has been told to not hold any events or programs…Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity unconditionally opposes, and its conditions of membership absolutely prohibit, any conduct considered as ‘sexual harassment’ or ‘sexual assault.'”
The local chapter of the fraternity said the alleged suspect was chased out of the building and “captured on cameras as they fled.” The group said they were working with police to provide information in the case.
“We became aware of the situation through one of our sober monitors being called over by the victim’s friend,” the statement read. “We immediately responded and multiple members of the fraternity, including our risk manager, arrived at the scene, providing assistance to the victim. A member stayed with the victim until the necessary authorities arrived, only leaving after the police had asked him to do so. The party was shut down immediately following our notice of the events. We will continue to support the investigation to the fullest extent and offer our support in any way possible.”
The fraternity said no one affiliated with the group “was involved or complicit with the incident.”
“Sexual violence has no place in our community. We are committed to cooperating with the investigation and supporting the victim in any way possible,” the statement read.
Chicago police are now leading the investigation into the case. The school said it was not naming the individual until charges were filed.
from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/r3LloT2
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