Thursday, February 17, 2005

February 18, 2005

MEMORANDUM

TO: Interested Media

FROM: David M. Donaldson

Chief of Police

RE: OCA # 200500098: Sex Offense Forcible

On Jan. 29, 2005 a rape was reported to the UNCW Police Department and alleged to have occurred Sept. 28, 2003, in Apartment J. At this point the investigation does not support filing criminal charges. If additional information or evidence becomes available, the case will be re-opened and the appropriateness of criminal charges reconsidered.

This is the second sexual assault reported to this department during January 2005. In these isolated and separate cases, there was significant delay in reporting the incident to law enforcement, alcohol was involved, and, in each incident, an acquaintance was the sole suspect, traits common in sexual assaults involving the traditional college population, aged 18-22.

Acquaintance rapes or sexual assaults are among those crimes most likely not to be reported to law enforcement, and, when reported there is often significant delay. This results in the loss of crucial evidence and information, often an insurmountable obstacle to filing charges and criminally prosecuting.

Such delay in reporting also means a delay in the victim’s receiving crucial medical care and support during acute and long-term recovery periods. The Wilmington/New Hanover County region and UNCW have several excellent law enforcement and victim support agencies. Among those are Rape Crisis Center; Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc.; UNCW Student Development Services – the Counseling Center and Student Health Center; Wilmington Health Access for Teens, and for child victims, the Carousel Center, in addition to many other public and private health and counseling services. Cases criminally prosecuted are supported by the District Attorney’s Office through professional Victim Witness Assistants and designated prosecutors. These agencies work closely together to ensure a comprehensive response to rape and sexual assault as well as incidents of domestic violence.

Neither a delay in reporting a rape/sexual assault nor the absence of criminal charges should be interpreted as questioning the victim’s credibility. It is vitally important that survivors of rape and other forms of sexual assault be supported throughout the recovery and investigative process, whether or not criminal prosecution occurs.