Sexual offenses are often unfortunate side effects of alcohol and hormones on college campuses, and here in quiet Westerville, Otterbein is no exception. A sexual offense was recently reported to Security on Oct. 4, 2009 in Davis Hall.
According to the 2009 Clery Crime Statistics for Otterbein College, two sexual offenses were reported in 2007, one in 2008, and one was just recently reported on Oct. 4, 2009.
As defined by the Otterbein Security Department's Web site, sexual assault is a felony and includes all "sexual contact without consent." Consent, however, is not effective under the law if the "individuals are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs." This was the case of the alleged sexual assault on Oct. 4.
"We'd been out drinking. We went back to one of the dorms, and the guy I was with had to take a girl to the hospital, so I was alone," the accuser said. "I was there sleeping and some guy walked in, and I didn't know him and he took me back to his room."
According to Deputy Director Doug Williard of the Security Department, all reported cases of sexual assault on campus have involved alcohol.
"Almost any bad incident we've ever had on campus always goes back to alcohol," Deputy Director Doug Williard said. The individual who has been accused in this case has neglected to comment on the matter. "I reported it to the police," the accuser said of the Oct. 4 incident. "Everything should be reported immediately."
According to the Security Department's Web site, if you are the victim of sexual assault, you need to remember not to bathe, shower or change clothes until proper authorities arrive. "Preserving evidence is key," said Willard.
The accuser of the alleged assault on Oct. 4 chose to pursue charges on the accused, but after an investigation, no further action was taken by the police.
"No (the police didn't follow up on it). They said not enough evidence," the accuser said.
According to the Westerville Police Division, no charges were filed and until further investigation, none will be filed.
"In my opinion I would put more of the blame on the person who did it (the assault)," Alex Bowling, freshman psychology major, said. "Maybe it should have been the responsibility of the people around them at the time." t&c;
