Dear campus community member:

We would like to inform you of a crime that has recently occurred in the campus area so you have the information you need to take the appropriate precautions. We are issuing this Campus Safety Notice in accordance with a federal law requiring universities to disclose information about certain crimes on or immediately adjacent to campus property.

We are sending this message to heighten your awareness, to encourage student safety, and to aid in the prevention of similar crimes.

University Police were notified Thursday afternoon that a sexual assault occurred during the nighttime hours of Friday, March 22, outside the Animal Science Laboratory, 1207 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana (map). The victim is not affiliated with the university. The incident was reported by a third party, and no additional details were provided to police.

At Illinois, We Care. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign community is a strong one. We have a collective responsibility to support people who have experienced sexual assault and, if we are able, to get involved in sexual assault prevention. Visit wecare.illinois.edu for more information.

Survivors and victims are never at fault for the violence they experienced. The only person responsible for sexual misconduct is the perpetrator. While it is a responsibility of the university to enact policies and programs that are intended to prevent sexual misconduct and to ensure student safety, there is much we can share to encourage safety, responsibility, and accountability among campus community members, and to empower active bystanders.

If you notice a situation that seems unsafe for another person, intervene if is safe to do so or call for assistance.
While it is always the victim’s decision to report crime to the police, reporting can be an effective tool to prevent crime in the future. The university, community organizations and local law enforcement offer a number of reporting options.
When engaging in sexual activity, enthusiastic consent is essential. Consent is an active process free from coercion, which can be revoked at any time. Check in with your partners, pay attention to how yourself and others are feeling, and do not assume what another person wants.
It is a responsibility of the university to promote and enhance safety, and victims of sexual misconduct are never at fault for the violence they experienced. However, whenever possible, we encourage you to walk in groups, avoid isolated or dark areas, and trust your instincts. If a situation does not feel right, it probably is not.

If you become concerned about a friend or yourself as a result of this incident, the Student Assistance Center (SAC) can help. Staff in the SAC are available Monday through Friday between 8:30-5 p.m. Additionally, the Emergency Dean Program provides a university administrator who is on-call to assist in health or safety emergency situations that occur after business hours and require an immediate university response. Call 217-333-0050 to reach the SAC or the Emergency Dean. Additional information about these programs and others is available at odos.illinois.edu/community-of-care.

The university encourages students to take appropriate action to promote safety by reducing students’ fear of legal or disciplinary consequences to the victim or themselves, including involvements with substance use. For more information, please review the Medical Amnesty and Survivor Protections.

For information on reporting sexual misconduct, accessing resources on and off campus, supporting survivors, getting involved in sexual misconduct prevention, and information on the Title IX office, visit wecare.illinois.edu.

For 24/7 resources, visit Rape Advocacy, Counseling, and Education Services (RACES) or Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN).