This Timely Warning crime bulletin is being issued in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). The purpose is to provide preventative information to the campus community to aid members from becoming the victim of a similar crime.
Summary of the Crime/Incident
UC Santa Cruz police officers are investigating a rape that occurred late Friday night in the Upper Campus forest at the residential campus.
The female victim and friends were at a large party in the woods. Around midnight, the friends found the woman passed out and brought her to the fire station on campus for medical attention. The woman shared with her friends that she had been sexually assaulted. Police were called to investigate.
UC Santa Cruz is providing the woman with support and resources.
Suspect(s) Description
The suspect is described as a young white man, approximately 5-foot, 10-inches tall with short brown hair and brown eyes.
If you have any information that might be helpful in this investigation, please contact Detective Paul DeOcampo at ppdeocam@ucsc.edu, or, if you want, provide information through the UCPD Tip Line at 831-459-3847. Your information can be kept confidential.
Safety Tips:
Do not engage in any behavior that may be considered sexual assault.
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Never use force, coercion, threats, alcohol, or other drugs to engage in sexual activity.
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No one deserves to be sexually assaulted or victimized in any way.
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Take responsibility for your actions.
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Remember, you need active and enthusiastic participation for affirmative consent to engage in sexual activity.
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Don’t mistake submission, intoxication, or other incapacitation, or silence for affirmative consent.
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Clearly communicate your intentions to your sexual partner before engaging in sexual activity.
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Understand and respect personal boundaries.
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DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS about consent, about someone’s sexual availability, about whether they are attracted to you, about how far you can go, or about whether they are physically and/or mentally able to consent. If there are any questions or ambiguity then you DO NOT have consent.
Don’t be a passive bystander. Intervene!
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Watch out for your friends and fellow students/employees. If you see someone who looks like they could be in trouble or need help, ask if they are OK.
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NEVER put yourself in harm’s way but do something! Help can be direct or indirect.
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Speak up and/or report information to law enforcement, a Campus Security Authority, or a University official when someone discusses plans to take sexual advantage of another person.
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Believe someone who discloses sexual assault, abusive behavior, or experience with stalking.
Risk reduction tips can often take a victim-blaming tone, even unintentionally. With no intention to victim-blame and with recognition that only those who commit rape and/or sexual assault are responsible for those actions, these suggestions may nevertheless help you to reduce your risk of experiencing a non-consensual sexual act:
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If you have limits, make them known as early as possible.
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Try to remove yourself from the physical presence of a sexual aggressor.
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Find someone nearby and ask for help.
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Take care of your friends and ask that they take care of you.
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If you feel unsafe, it is okay to reach out for help by texting or calling a friend or family member. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
MYTH: Victims provoke sexual assaults when they dress provocatively or act in a promiscuous manner.
FACT: Rape and sexual violence are crimes of violence and control that stem from a person’s determination to exercise power over another person. Neither provocative dress nor promiscuous behaviors are invitations for unwanted sexual activity. Forcing someone to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is sexual assault, regardless of the way that person dresses or acts. Rape is never the victim’s/survivor’s fault.
MYTH: It is not sexual violence if it happens after drinking or taking drugs.
FACT: Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not an invitation for sexual activity. A person under the influence does not cause others to assault her/him; others choose to take advantage of the situation and sexually assault her/him because s/he is in a vulnerable position. A person who is incapacitated due to the influence of alcohol or drugs is not able to consent to sexual activity. Rape is never the victim's/survivor’s fault.
MYTH: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers. It is not rape if the people involved know each other.
FACT: Most sexual assaults and rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. A study of sexual victimization of college women showed that about 90% of victims knew the person who sexually victimized them. Most often, a boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, classmate, friend, acquaintance, or co-worker sexually victimized the person. It is important to remember that sexual violence can occur in between people regardless of gender or gender identity. Rape is never the victim’s/survivor’s fault.
Incidents of sexual assault are taken seriously at UC Santa Cruz. If you are in the midst of any kind of emergency, immediate harm, or threat of harm, dial 9-1-1. If you have experienced sexual assault, seek immediate assistance from local law enforcement and healthcare providers. The Office of Title IX is available to provide you with written and verbal information regarding the applicable University complaint procedure for investigating and addressing your reported incident. Title IX can be reached at 831-459-2462 or via email: titleix@ucsc.edu.
For questions regarding this bulletin, please email clerycompliance@ucsc.edu.
