Harrington/Love Murders AT UVA: Sorority Rape Misses Radar To Alert Students
Charlottesville, VA- Sallie Hamilton, the original owner of the Hamilton House on Chancellor Ave., was ahead of her time when she chose Charlottesville to build her boarding house.
Recently divorced and the mother of two young sons, she was one of five single women from 1900 to 1910 to build and operate boarding houses to accommodate students of the University of Virginia as a means of income and support for her family.
The Chancellor Street address abutted the newly established and exclusive Fraternity Row on Madison Lane and was directly across from the central grounds. The Delta Zeta Sorority purchased it in 1979.
In the early morning hours of September 17th, 2010, it was also the scene of the latest rape of a UVA student and DZ sorority sister.
September 17th, 2010 also happens to have been the first full day of a 10 day memorial to Yeardley Love, the lacrosse player who was brutally murdered in May.
The columns of the Rotunda were draped in black just hours before the vicious rape and assault in the backyard of the sorority house, an assault that the young woman has very little memory of.
Coincidentally, Yeardley Love was a sister at Kappa Alpha Theta, whose sorority, Saunders House, resides at 127 Chancellor Street.
A “stones throw away” you might say.
Eleven days earlier, a meeting between the parents of Virginia Tech Junior Morgan Harrington and UVA President Teresa Sullivan regarding safety on campus, was productive.
Morgan disappeared from the grounds of John Paul Jones Arena last October and was later found murdered in January after months of searching for her. According to her mother Gil, Morgan was also raped and beaten.
Blinkoncrime.com was alerted to the attack at DZ House by concerned parents of UVA students when they did not receive an email alert from either UVA PD or Charlottesville PD as they have in the past, after they were informed of the incident directly.
For several hours following the attack, police actually detained associates of the sororities within the property at the time of the incident,as well as those arriving home while Charlottesville Police were conducting interviews.
After a previous sexual assault on July 19th, 2010, students, faculty, and parents received this email within 24 hours of the attack:
To members of the University community:
The Charlottesville Police Department responded to a report of a sexual assault that occurred on Roosevelt Brown Blvd at 11:30 p.m. on Monday July 19, 2010.
The victim, a University of Virginia student, reported being approached from behind and was pushed into some bushes along the sidewalk as she was walking on Roosevelt Brown Blvd. After a brief struggle, the assailant fled on foot in the direction of West Main Street.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his early thirties. He is approximately five foot seven inches tall and weighs approximately 150 to 160 pounds.
Anyone having information related to this incident should call the Charlottesville Police at 434-970-3280 or Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.
Please use all of the resources that are provided to you as a member of the University community. If you are interested in learning more about what resources are available, including safety seminars and self-defense classes, visit our Resources web site.
A few key things to remember:
- Trust your instincts about a person or situation. If you feel uncomfortable, immediately report your concerns to police by calling 911.
- If you find yourself in a similar situation, turn over material belongings to the suspect and focus on his or her physical characteristics, i.e. clothing description, height and weight and last known direction of travel.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Do not let a cell phone conversation or listening to music distract you when walking or in a situation that calls for your full attention.
- Avoid isolated areas when walking alone at night. Use SafeRide (434-242-1122), walk with friends, or take the late-night weekend bus.
- Report suspicious activity or people immediately by calling 911.
The University of Virginia Police Department would like to remind you of several resources that are available if you believe you, or a friend, has been a victim of sexual assault. Sources of support available include the Office of the Dean of Students, the Women’s Center, Counseling and Psychological Services in Student Health, Charlottesville’s Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA), and the Victim and Witness Assistance Programs for the city of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Students wishing to pursue disciplinary action through the University can do so through the University’s Sexual Assault Board. For more information about the Sexual Assault Board, contact the Office of Dean of Students or by phone at 434-924-7133. Students are eligible to receive support through any of these channels regardless of whether they elect to pursue criminal, civil, or administrative remedies through the University.
Michael Gibson Chief of Police
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sandridge approved distribution of this message.
Apparently, the concern for safety is shared after 2 shooting incidents occurred in the vicinity this past weekend, as addressed by Lt. Melisa Fielding, UVA PD:
“Safety is really a shared responsibility,” said Lt. Melisa Fielding of the UVA Police Department. ”You can’t put enough police out there to prevent all incidents.”
UVA police say that means getting the entire corner community on deck with keeping the nightlife area safe.
“Over the last year there have been enough incidents in this area to make one question how safe the community is,” Fielding stated.
On September 24, UVA held a Day of Dialogue: Toward a Caring Community.
The University’s new president, Teresa Sullivan, says this is a day of healing and of frank discussions about ways to prevent violence.
Frankly, I would like to discuss how after 3 known attacks, one resulting in a sexual assault after two attempts in the same evening in July, a rape and beating occurring at a UVA sorority is not worthy of an alert to students, faculty or parents?
One would think the start of preventing of such violence would be acknowledgment it exists, even when it happens “on grounds”.
Blinkoncrime.com was able to reach Carol Wood this evening, Office of Public Affairs UVA, while traveling for business:
..” I am out of town on business and have not heard of such incident but will look into it..”
Madeline Tanner, copy editor and contributing editor to this report.
Elizabeth Morton, contributing editor to this report.
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“On September 24, UVA held a Day of Dialogue: Toward a Caring Community.”
Seven days AFTER the latest rape on September 17 and it was not mentioned? How about more theater like draping the columns of the Rotunda in black again? There is always the ribbon decal for the car. Or maybe a picture of an ostrich with his head in the sand would be more appropriate? No worries; just give the case to Lt. Rader.
I know. This hits hard, it has been a day.
B
“Or maybe a picture of an ostrich with his head in the sand would be more appropriate?”
George – that says it all.
Blink – without your voice – there would be no voice at all.
If I had a daughter – I would wish to be transformed into a mouse so that I could ride in her pocket and whisper in her ear until she was mature enough to listen to her own instincts. If I couldn’t do that – I would at least expect the leadership of the university where I was paying a fortune for her to attend to do everything in its power to protect her.
Lily, many thanks, but we are a sum of our parts here, a united voice.
Profound words. I have a Blinkette, and invisible and in her pocket at this stage would be my dream.
Since it is just that, I pray that the Charlie Brown’s teacher voice she hears from me is translatable when she needs it.
B
This breaks my heart.
WHEN ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO GET TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT GOES ON AT THEIR UNIVERSITY?
It appears to be all symbolism and little substance. If they don’t get a REAL safety program going post haste, they all should loose their jobs.
The police are correct. They cannot be everywhere. The UVA administration is going to have to do better. The students need to be trained in groups to care for and look out for one another. Maybe some concerned parents can get something going.
Received directly from Ms. Wood 11:19 PM, went out to students following this report:
Dear Students:
I am writing to inform you of three disturbing incidents that have occurred recently near the Grounds. Because of the circumstances, information was not available earlier to share with you, but I believe it is important that you are aware of these incidents so you can take steps to protect yourself and those around you.
All three incidents occurred off Grounds. In two of the incidents, both involving female students, it is possible that the perpetrator is the same. Based on the description in each of these two cases, police have reason to believe that the perpetrator (or perpetrators) blends in well with the student community. It is also possible that he was lurking in each area before the attacks, observing potential victims.
In the first incident, a University of Virginia student was sexually assaulted near Chancellor Street on Sept. 17 at approximately 1:15 a.m. as she walked toward her residence. An unidentified white male knocked her to the ground and assaulted her. The Charlottesville Police Department is investigating.
In the second incident, a University of Virginia student reported, through a third party, that she was inside an unidentified fraternity house shortly after midnight on Sept. 19 when she was pushed into the pantry by an unidentified white male. Two friends heard her screams and opened the pantry door. The suspect fled the house on foot. He is described as a white male between the ages of 18 and 20, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, 180 pounds, with medium-length light brown hair. At the time of the incident he was wearing a T-shirt and khaki shorts.
In the third incident, a student was punched in the neck and knocked to the ground at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 18 on Chancellor Street next to the Bank of America branch building. An African-American male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, jumped from a Ford SUV and punched the victim as he was walking home. It is be lieved that the attack was motivated by the student victim’s sexual orientation.
In the two incidents involving young women, police are suspicious that the perpetrator may have been waiting and watching for an opportune time to attack. As a reminder, it is important to pay attention to your surroundings. If you see someone acting suspiciously or whose behavior raises concern with you (observing others from the shadows, looking into windows), then do not hesitate to call 911. The police want you to call so they can check out the situation. You do not need to be facing a dire emergency to call 911. Take mental notes (what the person was wearing, exactly where you saw the person, the direction traveling) to help the police as much as possible.
Students can become targets for those who want to do harm. Perpetrators often come to areas frequented by students, especially in the late-night hours, looking for young people who are enjoying themselves and have let their guards d own. As part of staying safe, please monitor your intake of alcohol, and please watch out for your friends who have been drinking. Do not leave them alone.
If you have any information on the incidents described here, please do not hesitate to call the Charlottesville Police at 434-970-3280 or Crimestoppers at 434-977-4000.
Sincerely,
Allen W. Groves
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer Lampkin approved distribution of this message.
Dear Blink,
I still read here each and every day!
Thank you for continuing to
“Shine The Light”!
I appreciate all that you do for JUSTICE!
How can this continue to be???
And no one is accountable!
Sorry, my girl wouldnt be there…even
if I were in her pocket :0(
One is too many!
Rock on Morgan,
We are here….always and forever!
From: Allen W. Groves, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
Date: Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 11:01 PM
Subject: Recent Safety Concerns: Please Read
To:
Dear Students:
I am writing to inform you of three disturbing incidents that have occurred recently near the Grounds. Because of the circumstances, information was not available earlier to share with you, but I believe it is important that you are aware of these incidents so you can take steps to protect yourself and those around you.
All three incidents occurred off Grounds. In two of the incidents, both involving female students, it is possible that the perpetrator is the same. Based on the description in each of these two cases, police have reason to believe that the perpetrator (or perpetrators) blends in well with the student community. It is also possible that he was lurking in each area before the attacks, observing potential victims.
In the first incident, a University of Virginia student was sexually assaulted near Chancellor Street on Sept. 17 at approximately 1:15 a.m. as she walked toward her residence. An unidentified white male knocked her t o the ground and assaulted her. The Charlottesville Police Department is investigating.
In the second incident, a University of Virginia student reported, through a third party, that she was inside an unidentified fraternity house shortly after midnight on Sept. 19 when she was pushed into the pantry by an unidentified white male. Two friends heard her screams and opened the pantry door. The suspect fled the house on foot. He is described as a white male between the ages of 18 and 20, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, 180 pounds, with medium-length light brown hair. At the time of the incident he was wearing a T-shirt and khaki shorts.
In the third incident, a student was punched in the neck and knocked to the ground at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 18 on Chancellor Street next to the Bank of America branch building. An African-American male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, jumped from a Ford SUV and punched the victim as he was walking home. It is be lieved that the attack was motivated by the student victim’s sexual orientation.
In the two incidents involving young women, police are suspicious that the perpetrator may have been waiting and watching for an opportune time to attack. As a reminder, it is important to pay attention to your surroundings. If you see someone acting suspiciously or whose behavior raises concern with you (observing others from the shadows, looking into windows), then do not hesitate to call 911. The police want you to call so they can check out the situation. You do not need to be facing a dire emergency to call 911. Take mental notes (what the person was wearing, exactly where you saw the person, the direction traveling) to help the police as much as possible.
Students can become targets for those who want to do harm. Perpetrators often come to areas frequented by students, especially in the late-night hours, looking for young people who are enjoying themselves and have let their guards d own. As part of staying safe, please monitor your intake of alcohol, and please watch out for your friends who have been drinking. Do not leave them alone.
If you have any information on the incidents described here, please do not hesitate to call the Charlottesville Police at 434-970-3280 or Crimestoppers at 434-977-4000.
Sincerely,
Allen W. Groves
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer Lampkin approved distribution of this message.
Thanks Xcoastal. I was provided a copy after I requested information on the incident earlier this evening.
What more is there to say?
B
Regarding your #4–interesting timing to receive this info. Good squeaky wheel greasing.
“off grounds”…. meaning cya
“What more is there to say?”
Actually, very little once you eliminate the superfluous verbiage –
“All three incidents occurred off Grounds.
If you have any information on the incidents described here, please do not hesitate to call the Charlottesville Police at 434-970-3280 or Crimestoppers at 434-977-4000.”
Left unstated:
But, please do NOT call anyone at UVA, it’s not our problem.
I wrote in an email this morning to the BOC contributing editors that if I saw the words “off grounds” in one more correspondence I was going to thrash someone. Obviously you don’t count, lol.
This is so unacceptable I can’t see straight.
B
Horrible flat feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Thank you Blink for blowing the whistle, for keeping this vigil, even when you are dog tired, under paid disheartened.
The silence of the university authorities and police are incomprehensible
and in a sense criminal. Will UVA have to be charged with manslaughter by the State of Virginia
and many key people lose their jobs, the school lose much of its’ funding, and student body, because of lack of security and cover ups on rape and violence on and around the campus before this situation is taken seriously and properly addressed?
Then will this archaic “closing of the ranks” system of protecting the institution at the expense of its’
young, paying, female students, finally be seen for what it is ,inadequate, patriarchal, inhumane, and yes “criminal” by omission.
Forgive my snark, but maybe if something bad happens to the child of a very large endowment provider.
I have emails in my inbin that you can see the steam coming off them.
B
The Mantra is still “OFF GROUNDS.” They make me sick!
A Sorority House is as much a part of a university as the GD Rotunda.
The 18-20 year old white male with medium length light brown hair, approx 5’11″….hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Whoever he is he seemed to be compelled to attack someone that weekend.
I see this Sorority House attack site is a mere five blocks from 15th & Grady.
I appreciate the way Allen Groves worded this. He took the time to connect on a student level. I really believe the language we use in the message to our youth must resonate. Like… “yes, you can call 911 if you feel unsafe: and “don’t ever leave a friend, especially if they’ve been drinking.”
Now. UVA has got to step up. This communication is intolerable.
George nailed it. XCoastal–wow, and thanks for being a keen responder.
I’m just not sure how dialog about safety could have been productive and then they put out this horse-puckey. Draping the rotunda….omg.
What a a mess.
B
‘Incidents’ ? terror sheer terror create a safe space guards anything dont blame the victims.
Could it be ex military people so de sensitized to violence (punched in the neck??>?>) that for them its just another day of work? An incident? Why are women their enemies? DNA could tie to sketch?
demands answers this is a plague please be safe x
I am out of any more thoughts and to scared to think who or what this is all about, the answers must be shocking ! Well at least there are policies regulations and jurisdictions and ofcourse lawywers with storehouses full of books
This kind of thing does look horrible for UVa and Charlottesville, I’ll be the first to admit. I don’t think this group at BOC are the only ones who are concerned, parents and local citizens are also very worried. That said, I think these recent crimes reach further than the UVa community…it’s like our whole society is in danger…so many schools are dealing with similar crimes right now. In Virginia alone there has been news of assaults in Farmville, Va Beach, schools in Richmond, and William and Mary. My daughter goes to a state school several states away and they’ve had notice about a stalker…a white guy in his 30s following girls and looking for them at bus stops. Our daughter lives in what we thought of as a safe apartment complex but there was a shooting in her parking lot the other night. Someone was just “shooting into the trees”, they said, but it went along with a loud party and was luckily broken up. Our son is at a school in a rural area, and a guy was assaulted by three black guys and dragged into the old cemetery on the campus, beaten and robbed.
It’s as though we’re not safe anywhere, and it’s frightening to send our kids off to school no matter where they go…small private school, large state schools. Urban, rural, suburban. There are bad people everywhere, and it seems to be getting worse. How do we keep our children safe?
Gosh, Blink…without you who the heck would know? I’m in Richmond and haven’t seen this covered in the news. I hoped after Morgan’s brutal abduction/murder and after Yeardley’s tragic murder, the new president would make safety an absolute priority. If I had a child there I’d be hotter than damnit.
It has not been covered at all until this piece. With everything going on at UVA to welcome Dr. Sullivan, whose studies include “women’s issues”, I find the whole thing a fat ball of hipocrit.
Was she aware of these incidents? Unlikely. Should she have been? Absolutely.
While there is no rape involved in Yeardley’s murder, I still see the similarities in the build up that led to her murder.
B
What all these recent crimes say to me is that college students are just not aware. I don’t know if it’s their age, inexperience, stubborn indifference, confidence. Maybe they’re just defying their own mortality. No one can walk alone at night, boy or girl. Just as Groves’ letter states above, stay safe by monitoring alcohol intake, and looking out for those who are drinking and maybe not taking care of themselves. These kinds of warnings should go out to students nationwide…not just in the form of emails from administrators, but in other ways young people communicate. News sources they read. Scoreboards at games. The ticker on ESPN, along the bottom of TVs where they work out. Just daily, constant reminders to stay safe…maybe something will stick.
I don;t know if I am in the right thread, but I too have been concerned about the latest violence on a lot of the Virginia college campuses, against young women, and young men. It is as if some people have just discovered an opportunity to take advantage of the students, big time. I doubt there is a collective unconscious to the evil mind, but in the beatings of young men which may have been an initiation of bg’s, that may be a ‘groupthink’ thing.
Besides all of this worry about the students, I have got one more nagging concern, the missing girl from Orange:
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2010/sep/28/orange-woman-still-missing-ar-530760/
Based on the nature of the incidents mentioned, the parents and the school should offer some advice to women putting themselves in danger. Alcohol, 1:30 in the morning, being alone, anywhere is HORRIBLE JUDGEMENT, whether in Charlottesville, NYC, or even Kalamazoo.
Yes, the Universtiy should get teh word out, but big brother can’t protect you all the time, so these inebriated women need to have a partner… we need to have more than designated drivers, we may need to have designated babysitters too.
It’s easy to blame a school for a problem but the solution might lie with individuals taking control of their own defense.
TexasGrandfather, I just sat with my husband and said the same words: “This breaks my heart.”
He agrees I am not overreacting. We are devastated and as disappointed in this behavior (or lack thereof) as we have been in anything we’ve witnessed. This is where our children were born and where they envision themselves at college.
Blink, you say “Eleven days earlier, a meeting between the parents of Virginia Tech Junior Morgan Harrington and UVA President Teresa Sullivan regarding safety on campus, was productive.”
I have to ask: In what way was that meeting productive? I don’t see it. I see hypocrisy and double standards. Day of Dialogue my arse. What a front.
President Sullivan: For Shame. This is no way for a new president, with your background in women’s studies, to begin. I’m furious.
You were right to call me out on the Harrington/Sullivan meeting. When I asked Dr. Harrington about it, that was his sentiment. As I do not have the heart to ask him or Gil to weigh in on whether or not he feels that way given these events, I don’t know. If we discuss and it is for public consumption, I will post.
Your and Mr. acho’s frustration and anger are aptly placed.
Starting with the positive-
Ms. Wood was extremely responsive to my request.
I believe her when she said she was unaware of the incident, and I would not have wanted to be the person that did not seek to advise her previously as I am betting that was a terse exchange at a minimum.
So much so, that in one hour and twenty minutes an email alert of events that should have been reported by September 17th, and again, 18, 19th, etc, via a security alert went out.
That said, had I not mentioned to her I was concluding a piece, and had since published it, would we have seen this at all?
What does “due to circumstances” mean?
If the kid is a frat member, or on any of the athletic teams don’t they know who it is?
Has there been an arrest?
B
Sorry, I feel like I’m talking to myself. I realize that a notice on the scoreboard at Scott Stadium would unnecessarily terrify all the younger kids at the game, but UVa plays Florida State at home This Saturday…is there an opportunity to “alert” the students to these crimes. “This is what happened…we are looking for…keep your eyes open, please call…”. Or to other citizens living in these neighborhoods where crimes have occured. Again, this goes for all college towns, all communities surrounding college campuses. Why are students still out there walking alone? I just don’t get it.
As TG said the police cannot be everywhere. But the male UVa students can. Ones who want to help should be enrolled in a program that would dispatch them to see the coeds home whenever circumstances call for it. Pick only fairly large guys near 200 pounds who can handle themselves and are fed up with this crap themselves. Is this sexist? Yes. Is this discriminatory? Yes. Or you can wrap the damned Rotunda again. And again. And again.
I got chills from your last comment.
B
I cannot believe this latest brutal attack was not divulged to the student body immediately. Thank-you Blink for your aggressive research and reporting.
Here is a link which includes a warning that went out to students last year from Lampkin, the student affairs officer.
It states basically, that if you are drinking you are more likely to experience “sexual activity that is later regretted or deemed to have lacked consent.”
What a horrible euphemism for rape–completely points the finger right back at the victim not at the disgusting rapist.
Link here:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2010/04/26/the-university-of-virginia-excells-in-rape-euphemism
George says:
September 29, 2010 at 8:07 am
“As TG said the police cannot be everywhere. But the male UVa students can. Ones who want to help should be enrolled in a program that would dispatch them to see the coeds home whenever circumstances call for it. Pick only fairly large guys near 200 pounds who can handle themselves and are fed up with this crap themselves. Is this sexist? Yes. Is this discriminatory? Yes. Or you can wrap the damned Rotunda again. And again. And again.”
I got chills from your last comment.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Woohooooo, You go GEORGE!! We need more men like you at our colleges!
Little Old Me, you said it all just right. This is the type of notice that should be on the front page of all schools newspapers, plastered on dorm doors, at entrances to student rec centers and classroom buildings. Where they check out at dining halls, bus stops. “Think good and hard about your safety before you drink, or do drugs, and walk out alone. Even if sober, always walk in a group. Use the eyes in the back of your head.”
I somewhat agree with Little Old Me however we need to teach our daughters to be cautious all the time, not just when out drinking. An attack can happen at any time: during the day when out for a run, walking home from the library at night, even while at home where one feels safe. It happens at colleges and universities all over the country so no matter where our daughters attend, we need to teach them to always be aware – always.
Thank you Blink for the well needed alert that everyone needed. The space between ‘our image’ and ‘our safety’ is certainly widening. Healing thoughts to all involved. Maybe they should consider paid security for their fraternity houses? ( Sorry, cough, choke.)
I wonder if a progam in living safely, like the Dare program used for elementary kids would help awareness? I dont know, as I agree the level of invincibility is huge.
Thanks to you all for making a troubling trend known.
Gil Harrington’s blog post 9/29/10
http://findmorgan.com/family-blog/gil-harringtons-thoughts-from-september-29th-2010
snipped from above link:
am tired of growing, and trying, and following the rough path. I want it smooth and easy for a bit; we are due. I am just confounded that this is ours to walk – so damn hard. Then I remember the journey our daughter took. Morgan’s path ended with her shattered body strewn in a field and I am shamed by my weakness and my fatigue and I find motivation to soldier on for a little more. We must find some answers, some justice before we can put this down.
I made a post last night/12:30ish this morning that isn’t here…
I don’t know if it is because i am inferring that the suspect in Sorority House case resembles or sounds very familiar (as in E M H) hummmmmmmmmmm or if it just got lost.
I suggested that a Sorority House is as much a part of the University as the Rotunda!
It’s up.
B
Oh, and in my post that didn’t post I said…”the rapist seemed compelled to attack someone on that weekend!”
oh. ok…I can’t see it…
When will the State (Commonwealth) of Virginia get it’s collective heads out of it’s a$$ and pass legislation that requires the city and township LE agency to be linked with all crime reports directly to the colleges and schools within their immediate vicinities? This is just ridiculous. Maybe the President needs to check the City and County crime reports each morning and contact the local police chiefs to get the details in order to, then, notify the entire University Community.
The top two hindrances to keeping kids safe at universities:
1. FERPA
2. Alumni funding
Pathetic.
Blink,
I am confused, I thought I read that the assault in the backyard of the Sorority house discribed a hispanic man in his thirties???
The letter states “White Male” am I misreading something?
No, that was the assault on Roosevelt July 19. There were 2, one attempted earlier in the evening and one actual sexual assault.
The rape on September 17, which occurred in the side yard/backyard of the DZ house, not “near Chancellor St” was a white male approximately 5’11 18-20′s, they believe he is also the individual that attempted to assault a girl in the pantry of the “undisclosed” ( are you effing kidding me- undisclosed?)
fraternity.
So “because of the circumstances” young women are apparently at risk of this dude lying in wait since September 17. Did anyone think perhaps warning students was a good idea, as well as a way to produce leads or witnesses? Potential unreported victims now willing to come forward as a result?
Well, looks as if someone should call the Governor of this great state and ask him what his opinion is on this whole matter!
TexasG, the words “heartbroken” just does not carry the weight we all feel upon our shoulders but ya know what I think?
If Morgan and her Mom soldier on, than so can I!
Just how many kids do we all have between us? I would imagine there is not one person on this board whose lives are not touched by a child. The time is NOW!
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/
Blink, can I say this?
Couple of things.
First, Blink, I know you are upset with some people. I hope I am not one of them
Second, this outages me that UVA is not doing more to protect their students. I find it interesting that they fill the two are related and that they believe this person was scoping out their victims.
I would like to point out a few select comments in UVA’s statement…
“Please watch out for your friends who have been drinking. Do not leave them alone.” – You know where I am going with this one
“Police have reason to believe that the perpetrator (or perpetrators) blends in well with the student community. It is also possible that he was lurking in each area before the attacks, observing potential victims.” – Note they are referencing perpetratorS (plural) – this certainly sounds to me sounds like it could be Morgan’s perps!
I have to admit, I have a real bad issue with RSO’s. I do not feel anybody convicting of a sex crime should be freely walking the streets to rape again – the system is so broken when it comes to RSO’s and it makes me so flippin mad!!
I am upset with anyone that has behaved either wrecklessly, or in a manner to cause additional grief to the Harrington’s. I know that is not you, or anyone here, so I will leave it at that.
I wonder if this guy has been looked at?
http://www.nbc29.com/story/13198947/police-searching-for-sexual-assault-suspect?redirected=true
B
@localcvillegirl says:
September 29, 2010 at 8:05 am
“Sorry, I feel like I’m talking to myself. I realize that a notice on the scoreboard at Scott Stadium would unnecessarily terrify all the younger kids at the game, but UVa plays Florida State at home This Saturday…is there an opportunity to “alert” the students to these crimes.”
I second this motion as the alternative is too much to bear.
Another family on Hell Island?
I think UVA nor any of us wants this.
BTW, local, I saw a little one on that bridge and he seemed well-adjusted and I imagine he learned a good deal.
Starting at a later age just is not working.
I’m not the one who could come up with the wording needed as not too scare them but someone must be!?
Gil’s lastest (pulls at the heart strings, let me tell you!)
Grief is not an all or nothing process; like we are ok or we are in despair. There is a lot of wiggle room, not frank polarity which would be so much simpler. There are moments we all do well and there are times we fake it like crazy and it is sort of convinces. The problem is that when you have to do that, fake it, to make our pain tolerable/acceptable to others and self – it is just exhausting.
I am tired of growing, and trying, and following the rough path. I want it smooth and easy for a bit; we are due. I am just confounded that this is ours to walk – so damn hard. Then I remember the journey our daughter took. Morgan’s path ended with her shattered body strewn in a field and I am shamed by my weakness and my fatigue and I find motivation to soldier on for a little more. We must find some answers, some justice before we can put this down.
2 4 1
God Bless this family. Power of prayer, I do believe in it. And, I pray every day for this family.
“All three incidents occurred off Grounds.
If you have any information on the incidents described here, please do not hesitate to call the Charlottesville Police at 434-970-3280 or Crimestoppers at 434-977-4000.”
Left unstated:
But, please do NOT call anyone at UVA, it’s not our problem.
I wrote in an email this morning to the BOC contributing editors that if I saw the words “off grounds” in one more correspondence I was going to thrash someone. Obviously you don’t count, lol.
This is so unacceptable I can’t see straight
—————–
Blink, perhaps UVA should use crime scene tape around all area’s that are UVA so that we know what exactly is UVA grounds. Anyone who lives in Charlottesville knows that the university is scattered in and around public property. You can have a house next to a school bldg. I think in fairness to the university, they should build huge walls around their elite college to help the criminals know where they are allowed to rape and murder and where they are not….
Sorry…I am so tired of the crime in this town. It is not getting better, it is getting worse.
Can anyone provide the actual number of officers on the Charlottesville and ACPD staff? How many officers are on duty at any given time. I think more need to be hired. Clearly they are spread too thin.
I realize they dated it for yesterday and it was not posted on the site until 9:15 this morning, but it is up, and we are expecting a press conf sometime this afternoon.
http://www.virginia.edu/emergency/message100928.html
B
I posted on the old threat that I believe Morgan’s rapist/murderer must know that the police revealed his identity, and that he has absolutely nothing to lose. Could it be the same guy?
Forgive my snark, but maybe if something bad happens to the child of a very large endowment provider.
I have emails in my inbin that you can see the steam coming off them.
B
Bingo Blink. It is a great possibility that this may happen because of the lack of vital information to the parents and students. Rapist are not predjudice, they are opportunist. They are watching and waiting for someone’s little girl to make a simple mistake and they could care less who’s little girl it is. To me, there is no difference between withholding information and the actual rape itself- they are equally disturbing.
Regarding this afternoon’s presser:
I look forward to hearing what “circumstances” prevented the info from being shared with the students until just after Blink’s reaching out to Ms. Wood.
President Sullivan, I expect to hear YOUR voice this afternoon. You spoke to the students on the Day of Dialogue; it must be YOU who explains the perceived hypocrisy of this situation to them now.
This is a public relations nightmare that your administration chose to make worse, instead of using this horrible situation to effect real change for the students’ good.
Fish, I think it was you who mentioned the governor above. A reminder that his own children are at UVa right now. He likely is one of the many UVa parents anxious to hear the press conference this afternoon.
This is absolutely a PR nightmare all the way around.
B
Thought about it again – they were assaulted on the premises of a shared student house – he actually hid in their house/back yard. This is extremely risky. He acts as if he had nothing to lose.
“That said, had I not mentioned to her I was concluding a piece, and had since published it, would we have seen this at all?”
Maybe; UVA has certain obligations pursuant to the Clery Act, which is federal law.
First UVA has the obligation to publish certain policies – here are some requirements (lets see if we can locate UVA’s policies in the following areas:
(A) A statement of current campus policies regarding procedures and facilities for students and others to report criminal actions or other emergencies occurring on campus and policies concerning the institution’s response to such reports.
(C) A statement of current policies concerning campus law enforcement, including—
(i) the law enforcement authority of campus security personnel;
(ii) the working relationship of campus security personnel with State and local law enforcement agencies, including whether the institution has agreements with such agencies, such as written memoranda of understanding, for the investigation of alleged criminal offenses; and
(iii) policies which encourage accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the campus police and the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
(F) Statistics concerning the occurrence on campus, in or on noncampus buildings or property, and on public property during the most recent calendar year, and during the 2 preceding calendar years for which data are available—
(i) of the following criminal offenses reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies:
(I) murder;
(II) sex offenses, forcible or nonforcible;
(III) robbery;
(IV) aggravated assault;
(V) burglary;
(VI) motor vehicle theft;
(VII) manslaughter;
(VIII) arson; and
(IX) arrests or persons referred for campus disciplinary action for liquor law violations, drug-related violations, and weapons possession; and
(ii) of the crimes described in subclauses (I) through (VIII) of clause (i), of larceny-theft, simple assault, intimidation, and destruction, damage, or vandalism of property, and of other crimes involving bodily injury to any person, in which the victim is intentionally selected because of the actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability of the victim that are reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies, which data shall be collected and reported according to category of prejudice.
(G) A statement of policy concerning the monitoring and recording through local police agencies of criminal activity at off-campus student organizations which are recognized by the institution and that are engaged in by students attending the institution, including those student organizations with off-campus housing facilities.
Oh . . . and . . .
(6) (A) In this subsection:
********* (ii) The term “noncampus building or property” means—
(I) any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization recognized by the institution; and
(II) any building or property (other than a branch campus) owned or controlled by an institution of higher education that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution’s educational purposes, is used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution.
(iii) The term “public property” means all public property that is within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution, such as a sidewalk, a street, other thoroughfare, or parking facility, and is adjacent to a facility owned or controlled by the institution if the facility is used by the institution in direct support of, or in a manner related to the institution’s educational purposes.
(J) A statement of current campus policies regarding immediate emergency response and evacuation procedures, including the use of electronic and cellular communication (if appropriate), which policies shall include procedures to—
*****(i) immediately notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or staff occurring on the campus, as defined in paragraph (6), unless issuing a notification will compromise efforts to contain the emergency;*****
(ii) publicize emergency response and evacuation procedures on an annual basis in a manner designed to reach students and staff; and
(iii) test emergency response and evacuation procedures on an annual basi
HERE IS UVA’s Policy on Safety Announcements and Timely Warnings
The University Police Department is very concerned about providing timely warnings to the entire University community. In the event that a situation arises that, in the judgment of the Chief of Police or a designee, constitutes an ongoing threat, a campus-wide timely warning will be issued. This is accomplished through press releases, email messages, posters and with messaged on this web site. For information on U.Va Alerts please visit https://www.virginia.edu/uvaalerts/. For
Emergency siren information please visit http://www.virginia.edu/emergency/.
http://www.virginia.edu/uvapolice/cleryact.pdf
Link to Clery Act: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode20/usc_sec_20_00001092—-000-.html
Well, should be an interesting press conference given this information.
O to be a fly on the wall in the Gov office this morning.
B
B
First let me say- thank you Blink for bringing this to the attention of all students -parents-faculty- Virginians- ect. I am happy to know that they have released a warning now.
I have read and reread this article. I couldn’t believe I was reading what I read.
Pushed in a pantry at an unnamed fraternity- luckily the attack was thwarted.
What? Should women only be afraid if they are in a house with a pantry?-
Im sorry for the snark, but obviously this guy knew where he was and knew that he could push the girl into a pantry- How did he know it wasn’t a ballroom, full of people behind that door?
And the victim reported this through a third party- why? Dare I say she is too afraid to come forward?
As for the account of the earlier attack- victim was knocked to the ground and assaulted.- They are sure to include that she was alone at 130 am walking to her residence- but fail to go into details of the attack such as- did he knock her down and attack her right there- Did he move her- did he lash out violently-
I know alot of this info-could be held as part of the case- but it seems to me, knowing his Modus operandi may help catch him- other than he seems to watch and know when and where to attack- Which scares me- again obviously they think this guy is very comfortable “off campus”
I await the press conference. Again thanks Blink and team, I can certainly understand why you have received the concerns you have, from residents, parents ect-
UVA also has the obligation to publish their alcohol policy:
(H) A statement of policy regarding the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages and enforcement of State underage drinking laws and a statement of policy regarding the possession, use, and sale of illegal drugs and enforcement of Federal and State drug laws and a description of any drug or alcohol abuse education programs as required under section 1011i of this title.
HERE IS UVA’S policy on alcolol
1. Alcohol
Virginia State laws concerning the purchase, possession, consumption, sale and storage of alcoholic beverages include the following:
1. Any sale of an alcoholic beverage requires a license from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board;
2. Alcoholic beverages are not to be given, sold or served to persons under 21 years of age;
3. Alcoholic beverages are not to be given, sold or served to persons who are intoxicated;
4. State law prohibits: drinking in unlicensed public places; possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21
years of age; falsely representing one’s age for the purpose of procuring alcohol; purchasing an alcoholic beverage
for a person who is under 21 years of age.
The University of Virginia assumes no responsibility for any liability incurred at any event not sponsored by the University when alcohol is served and/or sold. Students and member of Contracted Independent Organizations or of organizations with a Fraternal Organizational Agreement are always expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and to assume full responsibility for their activities and events.
http://www.virginia.edu/uvapolice/cleryact.pdf
In other words UVA knows all about the underage drinking that takes place every weekend at the fraternity houses but, they are NOT responsible.
The Clery Act requires UVA to keep a log of crimes reported to its police department.
Does UVA believe that they do not have to report crimes if they are reported to local LE instead of University Police. Is that why they tell students to call Charlottesville Police, even if the crimes take place in off campus areas considered part of the University by the CLery Act?
(4)
(A) Each institution participating in any program under this subchapter and part C of subchapter I of chapter 34 of title 42, other than a foreign institution of higher education, that maintains a police or security department of any kind shall make, keep, and maintain a daily log, written in a form that can be easily understood, recording all crimes reported to such police or security department, including—
(i) the nature, date, time, and general location of each crime; and
(ii) the disposition of the complaint, if known.
(B)
(i) All entries that are required pursuant to this paragraph shall, except where disclosure of such information is prohibited by law or such disclosure would jeopardize the confidentiality of the victim, be open to public inspection within two business days of the initial report being made to the department or a campus security authority.
(ii) If new information about an entry into a log becomes available to a police or security department, then the new information shall be recorded in the log not later than two business days after the information becomes available to the police or security department.
(iii) If there is clear and convincing evidence that the release of such information would jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation or the safety of an individual, cause a suspect to flee or evade detection, or result in the destruction of evidence, such information may be withheld until that damage is no longer likely to occur from the release of such information.
This really steams me! I’m not surprised at all by UVA’s business-as-usual handling of this. They got caught by our amazing Blink. Where the hell have our local “news reporting” entities been on this? Hello Daily Progress, NBC 29, Newsplex, Cville, The Hook, why do I have to get my important local news from New Jersey? What happens when Morgan’s case is solved and prosecuted, and Blink is no longer checking out what is going on here?
I truly hope that President Sullivan is furious about this mishandling of urgent events, and severely reprimands those involved in keeping the silence. I hope that she is not part of the problem like the last President was. I do wonder, though, why she can’t seem to say the words “Morgan Harrington” in public, especially when speaking to students about their safety and the steps they need to take to insure it.
Thank you, thank you Blink!
RE:
“katie says:
September 29, 2010 at 10:22 am
When will the State (Commonwealth) of Virginia get it’s collective heads out of it’s a$$ and pass legislation that requires the city and township LE agency to be linked with all crime reports directly to the colleges and schools within their immediate vicinities? This is just ridiculous. Maybe the President needs to check the City and County crime reports each morning and contact the local police chiefs to get the details in order to, then, notify the entire University Community.
#
JEN says:
September 29, 2010 at 10:28 am
The top two hindrances to keeping kids safe at universities:
1. FERPA
2. Alumni funding
Pathetic.”
&&&&&&&&&
I SO agree with the above sentiments, and utilizing the scoreboards during game day is not unreasonable, either. What’s wrong with a strong dose of reality? Campuses must get serious about getting the attention of female and male students on this issue.
At orientation, students should be required to attend a personal safety class, one that has teeth, not just some bland lecture. Also, female students should be provided with mace to carry. Some enterprising group or business could put its logo on the mace and become a “sponsor” of campus/personal safety initiatives, thus relieving the universities of any “implied” liability.
This whole issue of avoidance just pizzes me off.
XC
You need to check your email.
B