PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Temple University is investigating an alleged rape that occurred in an off-campus apartment complex in North Philadelphia.
The assault was reported to have happened around 2:30 a.m. Saturday at University Village, a privately run apartment complex at 10th Street and Montgomery Avenue, blocks away from campus. It was reported to Temple police on Tuesday.
“This is horrible — disgusting acts that are happening to people and are people’s realities, women’s realities. And we can’t let this go not talked about,” student Anna Shelly told NBC10.
The Temple incident comes in the wake of Cornell University, which is facing controversy over how administration officials handled the alleged rape of a student at a fraternity house.
“With a national lens on it right now, none of these stories can go untold,” Shelly said.
Temple President John Fry, in a statement to the school community, said, “Temple takes all reports of sexual assault seriously, no matter where they occur.”
He did not disclose specifics of the case but noted that students who report sexual assaults can decide to pursue criminal charges or not.
“Temple respects a student’s decision and does not make it for them,” Fry said, adding that resources are available for victims. If they choose to file a police report, now or in the future, Temple will “serve as a trusted partner.”
The university is investigating the incident through its Student Conduct Code, according to Fry, “which allows the university to hold students accountable under university policy. While the university’s conduct process is independent of law enforcement, it does not diminish the seriousness of the allegations or our responsibility to respond.”
