Forcible touching incident reported on SUNY Cortland campus

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Photo: SUNY Cortland

CORTLAND, N.Y. — One person has been accused of forcibly touching another student during an incident that occurred Friday at a SUNY Cortland residence hall, according to campus police.

The University Police Department is investigating the allegations after a SUNY Cortland student reported a forcible touching incident at a dorm on campus.

The suspect, who has not been identified, was known to the victim prior to the incident, according to police.

Here's the full statement issued Saturday from the University Police Department:

In compliance with the "Timely Notice" provision of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, SUNY Cortland is giving notice of a forcible touching incident.

Reported Offense: A SUNY Cortland student reported a forcible touching incident that occurred on September 02, 2016 in the early morning hours. The incident occurred in a residence hall on campus.  

Suspect(s): The suspect was known to the victim prior to the incident.

It is the institution's responsibility to make the campus community aware that the incident took place. The University Police are investigating the incident.

Remember, sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. While nothing is failsafe, here are some suggestions everyone may want to consider:

  • Make sure you have consent. Consent is a clear and freely given yes, not the absence of a no.
  • People who are incapacitated by alcohol or drugs cannot give consent.
  • Practice being assertive about your boundaries and trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy or sense something is wrong, call for assistance.
  • Be active in supporting a safe and respectful community. If you see others engaging in disrespectful or inappropriate actions, speak up and get involved or contact someone else to assist.

If you have been sexually assaulted, there are resources available to help you. Please visit our Reporting Options page and our Title IX Resource page for more information.