Pitt police identify, question campus sex assault suspect
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - University of Pittsburgh students woke up to a crime alert Wednesday about a sexual assault that was reported on the Oakland campus.
"It just sort of shocked me because this is kind of early in the year and already this has happened," said a female freshman on the way to class.
"It was honestly shocking because I came to Pitt never expecting that because genuinely everyone here is a great person but that's life. There's always going to be that one person that does that to people," said Emily Polishuk, a Pitt freshman.
The University of Pittsburgh Police Department said they responded to the 100 block of University Place for a report of a sexual assault on Tuesday night. Police learned the incident happened on Monday between 10:47 p.m. and 1 a.m. after the victim and subject interacted on social media.
A spokesperson for the department told KDKA reporter Jessica Guay, "the subject wanted for questioning regarding this incident has been identified and questioned by the University of Pittsburgh police. The investigation will continue."
Students said it's concerning, and a reminder to always take precautions on campus and online.
"Everyone is staying safe. We are all traveling in groups. Our eyes are peeled," Polishuk said.
Students said it was worrisome because they often walk at night in the area.
"This area is part of my walk. I go to classes in this area quite frequently and sometimes like at hours that I might not be comfortable with. Knowing that I have to take these precautions just to stay safe, like walking with something heavy in my hand and making sure somebody knows my location, it's really scary that these are steps that I have to take to make sure that I stay safe," a female student said.
According to RAINN, an anti-sexual violence organization, among undergraduate students, 26.4% of females and 6.8% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation.
According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)'s website, one in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college and 90% go unreported.
Police shared some tips with students in the alert, including to always pay attention to their surroundings, walk with friends when traveling at night and exercise caution while using social media.
"I always take precautions on social media because you never know exactly who the person is on the other end, and I want to keep myself safe," a student said.
"It definitely is scary, but I mean something that does help a little bit at least is that when I was first moving in last year, I was informed of all the safety precautions that are put in place like the blue lights. But still, it's a very scary situation that something so close to home is happening," said Tanay Malla, a sophomore at Pitt.
A police department spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing and no other details will be released at this time.
