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Police investigate UWM armed sexual assault
UWM police is investigating an armed sexual assault on campus that took place Sunday in a wooded area along Edgewood.
MILWAUKEE - The UWM Police Department is investigating a reported on-campus armed sexual assault.
The victim told police she was walking on Edgewood Avenue when a suspect forced her into a wooded area around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 12.
Police said the victim reported the suspect had a knife. After the assault, she said the suspect ran west and was last seen near the intersection of Maryland and Edgewood.
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"It makes me scared," said student Victoria Anaya. "I do morning classes, so I fear for those who do, like, even later classes that have to walk back to their dorm," she said.
Anaya told FOX6 News she is on high alert since the reported sexual assault.
Downer Woods at UW-Milwaukee
"I’ve been on that trail as well, so it’s very scary that could happen so close," she said.
Unfortunately, sexual assault is a trend all too common on university campuses across the country. College women are three times more likely to experience sexual violence, according to RAINN, a national anti-sexual violence organization.
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"It doesn’t make you feel safe. It kind of makes me feel like I have to carry something around with me just in case," said Mayah Blasewitz.
The American Psychological Association said sexual assault comprises 43% of on-campus offenses – the most prevalent such crime. Students think police presence in the expectation, not the response whenever crime happens.
S.A.F.E. phone at UW-Milwaukee
"I don’t see many officers around," Blasewitz said Thursday. "Yesterday was the first time I saw a bunch of them everywhere on every corner."
Police described the male suspect as:
- White
- 20-24 years old
- 6 feet, 1 inch tall
- 200 pounds
- Average build
UWM police said they have increased campus patrols and will continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call 414-229-4627.