Assault?

Emma Dejong

Emma DejongManaging Editor

Four days after filing a sexual assault report on Dec. 2, an SDSU student told a university police officer that the assault did not occur.

The student’s name has not been released, and whether or not she will be charged is currently unknown.

“Any time that you give false information [to the police], you can be charged,” Brookings Sheriff Marty Stanwick said. “Now if she’s going to be charged on that, I don’t know.”

Bob Otterson, executive assistant to the president, said that “the police consider the investigation closed,” and that any potential charges are not up to the university.

“It really is a decision for the Brookings County States Attorney,” Otterson said.

The university sent an email to all students’ school e-mail accounts to notify them when the assault was reported and when it was repealed.

“After the first email, it was kind of scary,” said Brianna Pfeffer, a freshman health promotions major. “After the second, it was kind of ridiculous.”

Senior theater major Dan Amen, who is one of the creators of the SDSU Safe Walk Brigade, said he was pleased with how the university dealt with the situation.

“I was glad they got the information out about the guy right away,” Amen said.

The Safe Walk Brigade was created in response to the sexual assaults committed on campus last spring. On Facebook, the description of the group says it is for “letting people know they have options to walk safe at night.” On the wall, SDSU men post their phone numbers so women know who they can call for an escort.

Amen said the group has been active this semester.

“I know I still get called maybe once a month or so,” Amen said.

Amen said the group was created as an addition to the university’s safety provisions.

“Although this was an unfounded report, students and employees should continue practicing routine personal safety precautions,” said Marysz Rames, vice president for Student Affairs, in an email to students Dec. 7. “The University Police Department offers a 24-hour escort service throughout campus seven days a week.”

Kaitlin Gleason, a sophomore pre-nursing major, said she avoids walking alone.

“If I don’t find anyone to go with, I probably just won’t go,” Gleason said.

With the information that has been provided, many are upset with the student who created the false scare.

“Why would you make something up, especially with what happened last year?” said RaLeah Held, a sophomore pre-nursing major.

Danielle Schuch, a freshman pre-nursing major, agreed.

“It surprised me that somebody would make something up like that,” Schuch said. “Who thinks of that?”

Amen was bothered by the whole situation.

“I was pretty upset about it because one of my friends was one of the victims from the first round,” Amen said. “Then when I heard that this girl was making it up, I was even more pissed at her. I don’t understand why someone would do that, but then again I don’t know why someone would assault someone either.”

Stanwick said that although there is a possibility that the student will face charges, not all the facts are known.

“There might be some circumstances I’m not aware of,” Stanwick said. “There might be a valid reason.”