Female student attacked

A female student notified University police early Monday morning that she was the victim of a battery.\nAccording to official reports, the incident occurred on the south side of North Woodlawn Avenue at 4:15 a.m. The victim, 21, stated she was walking from her car to her residence when a white male walking toward her struck her on the right side of her face with a beer bottle he held in his hand. \nThe student fell to the ground as the subject ran west toward Park Street, according to official reports. The victim also said the subject acted as though he was intoxicated and did not say anything to her during the incident. The victim sustained abrasions and swelling to the right side of her face.\nHer assailant was described as a white male in his late 30s, with an aged, wrinkled face. He is estimated to be 5-foot-11 with short, dark brown hair. The subject was last seen wearing a solid black zip-up jacket, dark jeans and running shoes. \nLt. Jerry Minger of the IU Police Department said the victim notified police shortly after the incident, but she refused any further medical treatment.\nIU police have searched the area, but thus far have turned up negative results. Extra patrols will continue to search the area as the investigation continues, Minger said.\n"The victim will be re-interviewed later to see if she can come up with a composite (sketch)," Minger said. "Right now we're giving her a chance to recoup."\nIUPD Sgt. Leslie Slone said often times incidents like this one are unavoidable, but the risk of crime can be cut down by staying alert.\n"By maintaining a sense of awareness of your environment, sometimes you can prevent somebody from attacking you," Slone said. "These things are hard to deal with, unless there is an officer right there on the scene. We're going to be a few steps behind."\nSlone said techniques can be taken by both police and citizens to help prevent crimes like this one from reoccurring. Slone teaches classes in crime prevention that help educate others on how to prevent crime before it happens. Personal safety and self-defense are among some of the course topics Slone teaches.\nOther crime prevention techniques Slone mentioned included environmental design -- a topic Slone strongly advocates.\n"Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) searches for patterns where crimes occurs. Organizations can work together and target those problem areas," Slone said. "This way we (the University/community) can make proactive steps toward preventing crime."\nUnfortunately, by doing so, areas where crimes do not normally occur can be isolated or left untouched, Slone said.\n"In general, your best defense is being aware," she said. "In our society, there are no guarantees that something like this is not going to happen. The best thing we can do as humans and as members of society is be prepared."\nThe Bloomington Police Department's Web site offers suggestions on personal safety that include trying not to walk alone at night, not accepting rides from strangers, leaving a porch light on and walking close to the curb.\nBPD Captain Mike Diekhoff said a lot of personal safety revolves around not putting yourself in a situation to become a victim.\nIUPD urges any one with information about this crime to contact them at 855-4111.