RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students are looking for ways to feel safer after an individual was followed and sexually assaulted on campus Friday, Feb. 2.
It only takes a few steps to go from a well-lit, central part of VCU’s urban campus to darker, unmarked alleys in the vast City of Richmond.
Students like Ava DeCoursey were frightened to hear what happened near Cabell Library last Friday, sometime between 6 and 7 p.m.
A trip to the library turned dangerous when two strangers began following a victim — who will remain anonymous — as the individual left the popular VCU study spot.
The suspects trailed the victim for some time before cornering and sexually assaulting them in an alley between West Franklin St. and West Grace St.
“There are some times where I have to say late at the library,” DeCoursey said. “As a woman having to leave by myself, I definitely don’t like having the risk of being assaulted on my mind.”
One of the suspects was described as a 40 to 50-year-old man with a grey beard. The other is a man is believed to be in his late teens to early 20s with sandy blonde hair.
This incident comes just months after VCU Police released a revised crime and safety report, which reflected a significant increase in on-campus rapes in 2022. There were 19 reported rapes on the school’s Monroe Park Campus — triple the amount reported last year.
DeCoursey said she generally feels pretty safe on campus during the daytime, but as night settles in, things can get scarier.
She shared some thoughts on what could help enhance safety on campus.
“Having security here, posted up at all times, honestly,” DeCoursey said. “Because when I hear about stuff like that, my mind goes, ‘Oh, no, that’s terrible — but what can we do to solve that?’”
The sophomore promoted learning self-defense as a protective strategy. When it comes to students working together to help one another feel safer, no matter how it happens, DeCoursey is hoping for change.
“Something needs to be done,” DeCoursey said.
This is an ongoing investigation, but VCU reminds students to always look out for one another, to be aware of their surroundings and to always trust their instincts. Community members are also asked to report all suspicious behavior to VCU Police.
