Reported By: Paige Kornblue
Photographed By: Glenn Weston
This is the third one reported since the fall.
Police say the female student that reported this crime is a freshman or sophomore who lives in one of the newer residence halls on campus.
The University sent out an email to the entire FAU community Tuesday afternoon, alerting them to the reported crime.
"Rape here?" asks freshman Alyssa Hopkins.
"Again?" asks another student.
"I think it's my biggest fear as a girl. It's the scariest thing in the world," says freshman Erin Tague.
"I think it's pretty sad," says Hopkins.
There was a sense of sadness and fear on Florida Atlantic University's Boca Raton campus one day after a student reported being raped.
"Our complainant reported she invited a friend over to campus in the early morning hours," says FAU Police Deputy Chief Keith Totten.
Police say the victim reported the incident at five a-m Tuesday, two hours after she said the sexual assault took place.
Investigators say she has known the man for four months.
This is FAU's first sexual assault case of 2008 and the third since the start of the school year.
Police say all three incidents were "acquaintance rapes," meaning the victims knew the suspects in some way.
"The acquaintance rape scenario is the most prevalent and most unreported. The most important thing that we have to always stress is don't put yourself in a compromising position and always have a friend close by who knows what's going on," says Totten.
Some freshman say while campus security is strong outside thanks to emergency phones and escort programs, they're worried about their safety once they get inside.
"You don't have to sign people in, you can walk in whenever you want, the doors are always open, you can follow someone in behind you... it's just so easy to get in there," says Tague.
Others say they keep their friends close... lately, even closer.
"You can't judge a book by its cover so you have to watch out for your friends," says Hopkins.
An arrest has not been made yet in the current case.
Investigators say the man is in his 20's and is believed to be unaffiliated with FAU.
The victim was taken to Boca Raton Community Hospital for treatment and care.
On campus assistance has been provided to her as well.
FAU Police say the two victims from the incidents last fall decided against pressing charges.
