Student reports rape at fraternity

An 18-year-old IU female reported being sexually assaulted Thursday night at the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, according to IU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger.\nPolice reports show the female had fallen asleep in one of the rooms in the house, 1431 N. Jordan Ave., and was awoken sometime around 1 a.m. to find an acquaintance forcibly having sex with her.\n"The sexual activity was not consensual, and the female in no way consented to any sexual relations with the suspect," Minger said.\nIUPD was notified at 4 a.m. Friday, and officers have interviewed the female, whose name has not been released, to see how she would like to proceed with the case.\n"We went down and spoke to the victim and collected the rape kit," Minger said. "She's been interviewed at least once, and (officers) will probably talk with her again later. We first always try to take their wishes into consideration as to how they want to see the investigation go and whether to pursue criminal charges."\nBecause of the sensitivity that comes along with sexual assaults, Minger said IUPD is being careful to go in the direction the victim wants.\n"We don't want to re-victimize the person by doing something against their will," he said. "Our officers have already told her there are many options she can take at this point, but just in case, we like to collect as much physical and verbal information from interviews in case it does take the direction (of criminal charges) later on."\nMinger said the female was able to identify the suspect, an IU student, who would be brought in for questioning.\nFriends of the female, who had been at Delta Tau Delta Thursday night, met with IUPD officers to help with identifying the suspect.\n"We haven't confirmed whether he was a pledge or not for the house," Minger said. "But there was a mention from people involved in collecting details about (the suspect's) identity about an assumption that members or pledges of the house were the only people at that party, so they assumed an affiliation."\nHowever, Minger said no direct affiliation has been confirmed at this time.\nDelta Tau Delta President Dan Knecht denied any affiliation between the suspect and the fraternity.\n"Unfortunately, our house became the scene of an alleged crime," Knecht said. "No member or pledge of our house was involved in any way with the alleged incident. From information I have received and the cooperation we have provided, there is a suspect in the incident who is in no way affiliated with our chapter."\nMinger said although IUPD is still investigating the affiliation issue, it is not its main focus.\n"(We) don't know if he planned to be a pledge (or is) confirmed to pledge. I don't really know at this point," Minger said. "We have to go with whatever the house president said at this point. As far as the investigation is concerned, it's somewhat of a moot point because the house itself isn't on trial -- it wasn't them who committed the offense."\nKnecht added that his fraternity acknowledges the sensitivity of the incident and plans to be cooperative with investigations.\n"We are disgusted by the alleged incident and plan to assist in any way possible to have the situation resolved," Knecht said. "Due to the nature of the incident, the need to be sensitive and the request for anonymity of the parties involved, we are unable to comment further on the matter at this point in time."\nIU Dean of Students Richard McKaig said he was made aware of the report by e-mail from IUPD. McKaig said IUPD will update the University, but IU administrators will not play an active role in the preliminary investigation.\nOmear Khalid, vice president of the Interfraternity Council, said the council is not taking an active role in the situation because it involves a criminal investigation.\n"We have been told by the dean's office that because of its criminal nature, we cannot disclose any information or comment further," Khalid said.\n-- Contact Campus Editor Mallory Simon at mgsimon@indiana.edu.