University of Iowa warns of first stranger sex assault report

IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa on Wednesday issued its first campuswide warning of the school year about a reported sexual assault involving a person unknown to the victim.

The sex assault warning is the second issued this week, and it marks the eighth report of sexual violence on or near campus since classes convened Aug. 25.

According to Wednesday's warning, a female student told UI police that she had been fondled in a sexual manner by an unknown male perpetrator about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. She told investigators she was walking on the sidewalk near the University Capitol Centre along Clinton and Washington streets when an unknown man grabbed her arm, pushed her against the building, whispered into her ear, and fondled her, according to the warning email.

A bystander intervened, stopping the assault, and the perpetrator to fled, police reported. The suspect was described as a tall male with dark eyes.

On Monday, police issued a campuswide warning about a sex assault reported Sunday. According to the warning, a student reported being assaulted at an off-campus fraternity house Saturday.

Before this week's reports, most of this year's reports happened in a residence hall or in campus housing and involved suspects known to the victims.

The university sends warning emails about crime reports to the campus community in compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Last school year, UI officials broadened the scope of crimes that trigger a warning to include acquaintance sex assault, among other things.

The university during the 2013-14 school year sent 14 'timely warning” emails, including 12 involving sexual misconduct. The increase in warnings, paired with controversial comments from UI President Sally Mason, prompted protests on the UI campus related to the university's handling of sexual violence.

In response, Mason introduced a six-point plan to combat sexual assault on campus, including cracking down on offenders, improving bystander training and education, and putting more resources into campus safety.