ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - University of Michigan police is alerting students, staff and guests to its Ann Arbor campus to remain vigilant after a sexual assault was reported late Friday evening.
According to an alert of the University of Michigan's website, the incident occured around 10 p.m. on Friday, July 7, at the Ford Motor Company Robotics Building off Hayward in Ann Arbor.
Police said an unidentified male was banging on a locked exterior door to the building and was able to gain authorized entry when a person inside allowed him in.
One in the building, he followed a female victim into a room and sexually assaulted her, police stated.
At this time, authorities say there is not further information on the suspect except that he is male.
Campus law enforcement said everyone on campus should remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times and offer the following tips:
• Trust your intuition. If a particular situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative.
• If you see something, say something. Report suspicious behavior. Call 911
• Avoid providing building access to people you do not know, or anybody who makes you feel unsafe.
• Walk with a trusted friend or co-worker when possible
Anyone with any information about the incident has been asked to contact the U-M Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) at (734) 763-1131 or email UM-DPSS-Tips@umich.edu
Confidential Tips can also be submitted at 1-800-863-1355.
"Sexual assault is any sexual activity that occurs in the absence of consent. The responsibility lies with the perpetrator, not the survivor – no one deserves, asks for, or provokes sexual assault," campus police said in a statement. "The University of Michigan Police Department has a Special Victims Unit that strives to provide a safe, caring environment where victims are empowered to take action."
"If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, we encourage you to report it to law enforcement," UofM police added.
DPSS encourages community members in need of support to reach out to:
• Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC)
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
• Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO)
• Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience
For status updates on this incident, stay with WWJ LIVE or visit the UofM website.