UNC-Chapel Hill students raise questions about notification system after sex assault, alleged library harassment
Some students at UNC-Chapel Hill are raising concerns about their safety after a student was sexually assaulted at an off-campus parking deck and three female students were harassed at the campus library.
Posted — UpdatedThe man left the building only when one of the women pulled out pepper spray — though she did not use it.
"It’s just sad that this is the world we live in now," said student Christina Boelkins. "I think it’s just so normal that I don’t even think twice about it."
"That’s just, unfortunately, what girls have to deal with," another student said.
Last week, a UNC student was sexually assaulted in the parking deck of a loft apartment building located near campus.
Chapel Hill police on Wednesday released video that shows a man on a bicycle in the moments before the attack. The 911 call made to police has also revealed new details about the crime, including that the female victim was punched and raped while the man held a knife to her throat.
"I’m just kind of frustrated that people are still harassing young women," said student Brianna Gilmore. "It’s just kind of disconcerting to me."
UNC sent out a campus alert about the sexual assault nine hours after it happened, a delay that prompted concern among some students on the campus.
In a written statement to WRAL News, UNC Police Chief David Perry said: "UNC Police are working closely with the Chapel Hill Police Department to assist in their investigation of the attack at Shortbread Lofts. The UNC Police Department has provided additional patrols on foot and by vehicle since this incident occurred."
Anyone with information about the sexual assault was asked to call Chapel Hill police at 919-969-2001.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the university had not sent out an alert about the library incident.
The mother of one of the victims questions why the school didn't alert the campus about the library incident.
But some students now question if more security is needed at the university's campus library.
"These are open mostly 24 hours, and it’s a little bit harder to try and keep track of people who aren’t supposed to be there," student John Hicks said.
Campus officials said the library incident did not meet the student notification criteria.
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