RIC dorm resident reports sexual assault on campus

Alexis Rapoza

News Editor

Photo via ric.edu

PROVIDENCE, R.I., -- On Friday, Rhode Island College campus police sent out a public safety advisory to the RIC campus community reporting an alleged sexual assault that took place on Friday, October 16th between two residential students.

According to the email sent by RIC Police Chief James Mendonca, the victim reported the assault to campus police on Thursday. Furthermore, a report was filed with the Providence Police department. Chief Mendonca stated, “The college is providing supportive services to the complainant and Campus Police are working with Providence Police to conduct a full review of the incident.”

Chief Mendonca also affirmed, “Campus Police have also determined that there is no active or ongoing threat to anyone else within the campus community at this time.”

The Rhode Island College website affirms that RIC is the safest college campus in New England. The RIC Police Department also holds the highest ratio of professionally experienced law enforcement officers out of Rhode Island’s three state schools.

Colleges and universities across the United States that receive Title IV funding (any postsecondary institution that participates in federal student aid programs) are required to report crime and fire statistics to the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education. As stated by RIC’s 2019 Annual Security Report, sexual assault was reported on RIC’s campus twice in 2016, and once in both 2017 and 2018. All of these previously reported incidents took place in the residence halls.

If any Rhode Island College student has experienced sexual assault, harrassment domestic or dating violence or stalking, they can contact the Title IV office or the counseling center. To make an appointment at the counseling center students can call 401-456-8094.

Students are also urged to contact Day One’s Sexual Assault and Trauma Center at 1-800-494-8100. To contact the Rhode Island College 24/7 HOPE Line and speak with a licensed clinician immediately call 401-456-HOPE (4673).