Multiple assault cases on Edinburg campus

In the last two weeks, two cases of sexual assault and assaults by contact were reported on the Edinburg campus, causing fear among students.

At 2:08 p.m. Sept. 17, a student reported having been sexually assaulted in the Heritage Hall dormitory, according to a UTRGV Police Department Admin Report. The victim identified the subject as a current student. UTRGV detectives detained the subject. The victim declined to prosecute but all the physical evidence was recovered and will be processed should the victim choose to prosecute at a later time. The case was referred to Student Rights and Responsibilities for further review.

About 3:42 p.m. Sept. 22, the Police Department received a report of a sexual assault in the Heritage Hall dormitory. The victim reported that she was sexually assaulted between 2 and 3 p.m. Aug. 20 while the suspect was visiting her in her dormitory. The suspect is known and has been identified, according to the admin report. The suspect is a Hispanic male, 5 feet 8 inches in height, 150 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and a light complexion.

The victim has chosen to participate in the pseudonym program and no further information will be released at this time, according to the report. The case was turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division.

Around 10:11 a.m. Sept. 29, while following up on an assault by contact that was reported at 6:53 p.m. Sept. 28, it was determined that an indecent assault had occurred on Sept. 14 between 2:30 and 3 p.m. on the second floor of the University Library, according to a timely warning notification sent by the Police Department. The victim also reported that at 7 p.m. Sept. 15, while walking on the Bronc Trail (by the dining area), the suspect touched her inappropriately (assault by contact).  She found the contact offensive, according to the warning.

It was also determined that the same suspect was involved in two previous assault by contact reports:  one at 11:42 p.m. Sept. 14 and another at 12:38 a.m. Sept. 15. Both occurred on the first floor of Unity Hall. In both reports, the victims found the contact offensive.

The suspect is known and has been identified. These cases have been turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division. The suspect was described as a black male, 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 7 inches in height, medium to heavy set, with dark hair, dark eyes and a dark complexion.

The Rider tried to contact University Police Chief Adan Cruz and Assistant Police Chief James Loya multiple times Friday regarding the incidents, but as of press time they had not returned calls.

Amanda Quintanilla, a victim services specialist with the University Police Department, said officers are always on patrol.

“When it comes to safety, the police try to be out there as much as they can,” Quintanilla said in an interview last Wednesday . “[The police] are on bike patrol on campus, they are on foot patrol, they are driving around 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

She said the officers have different shifts so someone is always watching the campus. The police also try to be visible so everyone knows they are there to keep them safe and help.

Margarita Gonzalez, a counseling specialist with the Office for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention, said the department offers assistance to victims.

“We are a confidential resource for victims of any crime,” said Gonzalez, who is a certified rehabilitation counselor and licensed professional counselor associate. “Whether it’s sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment or stalking, we provide resources for every individual.”

She said other services OVAVP offers to students, staff and faculty, if necessary, is to accompany them to places, such as hospitals or health clinics, depending on their needs.

Jesse Hernandez, a management sophomore, said it is not the easiest feeling to know that even in your own dormitory, you are not safe. He said most of the time he is with people he trusts.

Psychology freshman Odalys Saenz said she feels scared during her first semester living on campus because of the cases of sexual assault that have occurred recently in the dormitories.

“Well, I actually got self-defense tools in my backpack because I get really scared because it is my first year and anything can happen,” Saenz said. “I even don’t go out at night anymore because I’m afraid that something can happen to me.”

She said UTRGV should install police offices outside the dormitories to prevent incidents.

Bella Gomez, a junior nursing student, said UTRGV does take security precautions for the students living in the dormitories but there are times when she feels there is not much protection.

The Rider contacted Sergio Martinez, director of Residence Life and Housing, for comment. Martinez referred the newspaper to Patrick Gonzales, associate vice president for Marketing and Communications.

Gonzales did not return phone calls to the newspaper as of press time Friday.

“They have precautions, they have people working,” Gomez said about the dormitories. “I work at the front and when that did happen, no one was really working at night yet. So, I don’t know. I guess sometimes there is not enough precautions, but I don’t know what else we can do [other] than having the police.”

She said she has lived in the dormitories at UTRGV for two years and explained how difficult it is for many students to talk about being sexually assaulted.

“It takes a lot of courage to speak out and let someone know what has happened to you,” Gomez said. “I feel like it is why not a lot of people report it. They are scared of the consequences of what can happen.”

For this reason, UTRGV provides services for students to make the decision to report at their own pace.

“Sometimes, people want to file charges, whether it’s sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking,” Quintanilla said. “Whatever it may be, it is the individual choice of every person.”

She said the CampusShield application is the best tool for students, staff and faculty to help them feel more secure on campus.

“Here, you can do anonymous reporting,” Quintanilla said. “If you see something on campus, you can report it through video, text or a picture.”

She said students who are in a situation where they do not feel comfortable and do not want to call to report can use CampusShield to report it to the Police Department. When they open the application, the police will be able to see where they are.

Gonzalez explained the process OVAVP follows in sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment or stalking cases.

“We never force the victim to report it when they come to our office,” she said. “This is a resource for them, if they choose to seek it out, because the victim goes through a lot during these situations.”

Gonzalez explained the differences between OVAVP and the Police Department in these types of cases.

“We have confidential service for free for students, faculty and staff,” she said. “As I mentioned before, we collaborate a lot with Amanda. The only difference about our office is the confidentiality part. Since Amanda works with the Police Department, even if the student is not ready to make the report, it will still be made.”

Gonzalez said OVAVP gives the victim the opportunity to choose whether they want to do the report or not, because going to the OVAVP offices does not mean they are ready to report the case.

“People may give consent at the very beginning but throughout the experience they may say no in the middle of it,” she said. “And if they continue to do it, it is sexual assault. Anything that is an unwanted sexual touching or anything like that.”

Students can call the OVAVP offices at 665-8287 and the UTRGV Police Department at 882-7777.

For more information about the Office for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention services, visit its website. To make reports anonymous, use the CampusShield application.

–Valeria Henderson contributed to this report.