University of Iowa notifies campus of first sexual assault report this semester

IOWA CITY — One week into the new academic year, the University of Iowa on Monday issued its first crime alert about a reported sexual assault on campus.

The reported sexual assault occurred during the early morning hours Monday in a west side residence hall, UI officials reported. The alleged perpetrator was an acquaintance of the victim, according to the alert.

Monday’s alert was the first of the fall semester for the UI campus that last year issued eight sexual assault-related crime alerts, five of which were reported in residence halls.

As part of Monday’s alert, the university provided strategies for bystander intervention “if you feel uneasy about a situation.”

“Trust your instincts,” according to the guidance. “Attempt to interrupt the chain of events.”

Strategies the university suggested included creating a distraction and involving others; making sure everyone has a safe ride home; and signing up for a UI bystander intervention workshop.

“Remember being an active bystander does not require you put yourself at risk,” the guidance said, adding, “The only person responsible for a crime is the perpetrator.”

Iowa State University hasn’t issued any crime alerts so far this academic year, but did on the first day of the semester investigate what turned out to be “false” reports of an active shooter on campus.

“Officers responded promptly this morning after receiving several calls and found no credible threat,” ISU Police reported Aug. 25. “The calls appear to be similar to several anonymous and false ‘swatting calls’ at universities across the country, triggering a response from law enforcement.”

ISU police also over the weekend reported — as part of its game-day enforcement — three public intoxication arrests, 16 underage alcohol possession citations, 13 ejections, 122 first-aid calls, and two ambulance conveyances.

The University of Iowa’s most recent crime report showed reports of rape jumped from 13 in 2022 to 56 in 2023, while the number of fondling reports doubled from 20 to 40 over that span.

UI police noted of that year’s numbers, “43 of the 96 sexual assaults (rape and fondling combined) were perpetrated by a single individual over multiple years, but reported in 2023.”

Iowa State in 2023 — the most recent data available — tallied 12 rape reports, down from 18 the year prior; it reported five fondling incidents in 2023, down from six.

And the University of Northern Iowa had eight reports of rape in 2023, up from seven the year prior; and it had six reports of fondling, up from three.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com