University of Iowa warns of sixth sex assault report

IOWA CITY - For the fourth time this school year, the University of Iowa on Friday issued a warning about a reported sexual assault on campus.

The incident, which officials said they learned about Monday, brings the total sexual assaults reported by administrators this academic year to six. Most of the reports, including this week's incident, have been similar in nature - occurring in a residence hall or in campus housing and involving suspects known to the victims.

In the most recent case, a student told UI officials on Monday that she was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance on Sept. 26 - a Friday - in a residence hall. The university does not release more details about reported assaults to protect victims' privacy.

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 rolled out 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.