SAN MARCOS — Cal State San Marcos officials have confirmed that four rapes were reported during the first three weeks of the new semester.
Although campus administrators and university police have released few details while the incidents remain under investigation, The Coast News confirmed the following reports through screenshots of security alerts CSUSM students shared on social media. Campus officials also confirmed the alerts were authentic:
- Sept. 5 — The Quad
- Sept. 6 — University Village Apartments
- Sept. 13 — Black Oak Hall
- Sept. 18 — The Quad
The reported rapes were disclosed through “timely warning crime bulletins” required under the federal Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. The alerts are sent to all currently enrolled students, faculty and staff.
The University Police crime log showed no arrests by campus police since Aug. 31 as of noon Sept. 5, including no arrests for sexual assault.
University spokesperson Jerry McCormick told The Coast News by email that University Police, a branch of the state police, are investigating a different suspect in each case. In each incident, the victim reported that the alleged perpetrator was a known acquaintance.
McCormick added that sexual assaults on college campuses are most prevalent during the first weeks of the fall semester.
“The first six weeks of the fall semester at universities across the nation are often called the ‘Red Zone,’ when the risk of campus sexual violence is elevated. Because the beginning of the academic year can be a particularly vulnerable time for students, CSUSM begins prevention and consent education before students arrive on campus and continues those efforts throughout the year through bystander-intervention training, confidential advocate services, and campus resource awareness.
“We want students who experience sexual violence to feel supported in coming forward. Through education, prevention, and increased awareness of resources, we hope both to reduce sexual violence and ensure students know where to turn for support.”
