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SOCC vigilant after sex attack
By Jessica Musicar, Staff Writer
Sunday, November 01, 2009 | 1 comment(s)
Coos Bay police officers are investigating the sexual assault of a woman, after one or more people attacked her inside a dorm room at Southwestern Oregon Community College.
The attack occurred early Thursday morning at the college’s Coos Bay campus, according to a Coos Bay Police Department press release sent out Friday afternoon.
The victim, identified only as a woman, did not know the identity of her attacker or attackers, the press release said. Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, Coos Bay Capt. Cal Mitts said investigators will release no other details. That included not saying whether the victim is a student, if the incident occurred in her own dorm room, if witnesses were present, if any suspects have been identified, whether the incident is a rape, who reported it, why it took 36 hours to report to media and if alcohol was involved.
The investigation is ongoing. Southwestern is cooperating with the Coos Bay Police Department’s investigation into this matter, the press release said.
Mitts said he isn’t prepared to say whether people should be concerned about random attacks in the community related to the incident. But given the location of the assault ” a public area with a lot of housing and people nearby ” he said he opted to release safety tips.
“At this point I would say that anybody can be a victim of this crime,” Mitts said. “Oftentimes victims are male, as well as female.”
College representatives refused to discuss the incident.
“It is an ongoing and sensitive investigation, therefore we are unable to comment,” a college press statement said. “Southwestern’s foremost priority is student, employee, and visitor safety and we will work diligently to maintain our safe living and learning environment.”
Southwestern opened its dorms to students in fall 1997. In those 12 years, the college has had three sexual assault cases investigated by Coos Bay Police Department, the press release said. In 2003, two men were convicted of sexually assaulting a prospective female student in a dorm room in November 2002. In December 2003, the court convicted a man of sexually abusing two drunken women after a Halloween party.
Representatives said that the college is sending an e-mail to students and employees with a list of prevention tips recommended by Coos Bay police to keep people safe.
They’ve also had housing staff members talk with resident assistants, increased manager walk-arounds and reiterated security standards, such as closing and locking doors and windows. Ongoing student programs offer students additional educational opportunities, such as new student orientation’s sex issues and a self-defense night.
The press release notes that housing and campus security personnel will be at full staff over the Halloween weekend.
The attack occurred early Thursday morning at the college’s Coos Bay campus, according to a Coos Bay Police Department press release sent out Friday afternoon.
The victim, identified only as a woman, did not know the identity of her attacker or attackers, the press release said. Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, Coos Bay Capt. Cal Mitts said investigators will release no other details. That included not saying whether the victim is a student, if the incident occurred in her own dorm room, if witnesses were present, if any suspects have been identified, whether the incident is a rape, who reported it, why it took 36 hours to report to media and if alcohol was involved.
The investigation is ongoing. Southwestern is cooperating with the Coos Bay Police Department’s investigation into this matter, the press release said.
Mitts said he isn’t prepared to say whether people should be concerned about random attacks in the community related to the incident. But given the location of the assault ” a public area with a lot of housing and people nearby ” he said he opted to release safety tips.
“At this point I would say that anybody can be a victim of this crime,” Mitts said. “Oftentimes victims are male, as well as female.”
College representatives refused to discuss the incident.
“It is an ongoing and sensitive investigation, therefore we are unable to comment,” a college press statement said. “Southwestern’s foremost priority is student, employee, and visitor safety and we will work diligently to maintain our safe living and learning environment.”
Southwestern opened its dorms to students in fall 1997. In those 12 years, the college has had three sexual assault cases investigated by Coos Bay Police Department, the press release said. In 2003, two men were convicted of sexually assaulting a prospective female student in a dorm room in November 2002. In December 2003, the court convicted a man of sexually abusing two drunken women after a Halloween party.
Representatives said that the college is sending an e-mail to students and employees with a list of prevention tips recommended by Coos Bay police to keep people safe.
They’ve also had housing staff members talk with resident assistants, increased manager walk-arounds and reiterated security standards, such as closing and locking doors and windows. Ongoing student programs offer students additional educational opportunities, such as new student orientation’s sex issues and a self-defense night.
The press release notes that housing and campus security personnel will be at full staff over the Halloween weekend.
Safety reminder
The Coos Bay police are urging Southwestern Oregon Community College students, faculty and all members of the community to keep in mind sexual assault prevention tips.
• Be aware of your surroundings ” who’s out there and what’s going on.
• Walk with confidence. The more confident you look; the stronger you appear.
• Know your limits when it comes to drinking alcohol.
• Be assertive ” don’t let anyone violate your space.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
• Don’t prop open self-locking doors.
• Lock your door and your windows, even for just a few minutes.
• Watch your keys. Don’t lend them. Don’t leave them. Don’t lose them. And don’t put your name and address on the key ring.
• Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who’s on the other side of the door before you open it.
• Be wary of isolated spots, such as underground garages, offices after business hours and apartment laundry rooms.
• Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
• Have your key ready to use before you reach a door.
• Park in well-lit areas and lock your vehicle, even if you’re gone for a few minutes.
• Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.
• Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.
• Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
• In case of car trouble, call for help on your cell phone. If you don’t have a phone, put the hood up, lock the doors, and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, “Help. Call police.”
The Coos Bay police are urging Southwestern Oregon Community College students, faculty and all members of the community to keep in mind sexual assault prevention tips.
• Be aware of your surroundings ” who’s out there and what’s going on.
• Walk with confidence. The more confident you look; the stronger you appear.
• Know your limits when it comes to drinking alcohol.
• Be assertive ” don’t let anyone violate your space.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
• Don’t prop open self-locking doors.
• Lock your door and your windows, even for just a few minutes.
• Watch your keys. Don’t lend them. Don’t leave them. Don’t lose them. And don’t put your name and address on the key ring.
• Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who’s on the other side of the door before you open it.
• Be wary of isolated spots, such as underground garages, offices after business hours and apartment laundry rooms.
• Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
• Have your key ready to use before you reach a door.
• Park in well-lit areas and lock your vehicle, even if you’re gone for a few minutes.
• Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.
• Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.
• Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
• In case of car trouble, call for help on your cell phone. If you don’t have a phone, put the hood up, lock the doors, and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, “Help. Call police.”
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