SUNY Cortland student reports rape incident on campus

CORTLAND, N.Y. — The University Police Department at SUNY Cortland is investigating a rape incident that reportedly occurred at a residence hall on campus last week.

A SUNY Cortland student reported a rape incident that occurred on Friday, March 3, in a residence hall on campus, university police said in a crime alert.

The suspect was known to the victim prior to the incident, the alert said.

The suspect has not been identified pending an ongoing investigation.

The SUNY Cortland Police Department released the following statement regarding the reported incident:

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 reported rape incident.

Reported Offense: A SUNY Cortland student reported a rape incident that occurred on the night of February 02, 2017. The rape 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 incident was reported to a campus reporting office.

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.