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UChicago students call for stronger safeguards after assault report at fraternity party
A 21-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted at an Alpha Epsilon Pi-associated house near the University of Chicago early Sunday. Students are calling for accountability as police investigate and the fraternity’s national organization bars the chapter from holding events while the inquiry continues.
University of Chicago students are calling for stronger safety measures and accountability after a 21-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted at a fraternity house near campus early Sunday, Oct. 11.
The woman, who is not affiliated with the university, was attending a party at the house associated with Alpha Epsilon Pi, according to a campus email. Someone intervened, and the alleged assailant fled, university officials said. The woman was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment.
Campus police said surveillance footage showed a person matching the suspect’s description leaving the house. As of Monday night, authorities had not publicly identified a suspect or said whether that person was connected to the fraternity or the university. The university and the fraternity said they are cooperating with the investigation.
Students said the report raised urgent questions about safety at campus-area parties. “To hear that a woman came here just trying to have some fun and was sexually assaulted is very, very upsetting,” student Alexa Walsh said.
Another student, identified as Angel, said fraternity organizers should be held responsible for security at events. A member of a different fraternity also said Greek organizations need to do more to make parties safe.
Alpha Epsilon Pi’s national organization said it is cooperating with investigators and has directed the chapter not to hold events or programs while the investigation is pending. The organization said sexual harassment and sexual assault are prohibited under its membership standards.
Walsh said she hoped university officials, campus police and fraternity leaders would take the report seriously and support the woman as she recovers. Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them.