KU News Release

KU urges students to be safe in wake of assaults

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas is urging students to be aware and alert and take reasonable measures as a precaution following an announcement by the Lawrence Police Department that it is investigating a series of possibly connected sexual assaults.

Lawrence police announced Dec. 8 they are investigating the sexual assault of a 19-year-old female Dec. 1 in her southwest Lawrence home. Police are investigating the case, as well as four others since 2004 that may be related. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lawrence Police Department Investigations Division at (785) 830-7430 or the Douglas County Crime Stoppers tips hotline at (785) 843-TIPS.

“The safety of our campus community is our top priority,” said Marlesa Roney, vice provost for Student Success. “We work to educate students and staff about safety precautions and advise students to take a moment and consider what measures they can take to protect themselves.”

The Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center offers a number of safety tips, including:

At home
• Install quality locks on doors, windows and sliding glass doors
• Keep doors locked, even when at home
• Install and use peepholes
• Don’t leave keys hidden under mats, above the door or near the door
• Leave lights or a radio on a timer to give the appearance that someone is home

On campus
• Know where the emergency (blue) phones are on campus to call for immediate help
• For a safe ride home, call Safe Ride at (785) 864-SAFE
• If living on campus, don’t leave rooms unlocked, even if occupied or when nearby
• Do not attach anything to key rings that indicate place of residence

In relationships
• When going out with someone new, go on a group date or meet in a public place
• Arrange your own transportation to and from dates
• Alert friends/family to where you will be going
• If drinking, be mindful of how alcohol can impair decision making

On the streets
• Walk in well-lit areas and be aware of surroundings
• Walk with another person

For more tips, or to sign up for the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center’s self defense course, contact the center at (785) 864-3552 or etwrc@ku.edu.

For more information, go to www.alert.ku.edu.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.