Two Fondling Incidents Reported to Public Safety
By Sarah Siock and Shaun Chornobroff
At 8:37 p.m. on Sept. 7, Rider’s Public Safety department notified students via an email that two alleged fondling incidents that happened four days prior were reported to the office.
The incidents involved the same individual and he is known to both survivors, according to the email.
“One incident occurred near Daly’s Dining Hall and the other occurred off campus,” the email read.
University officials are conducting an investigation as per Title IX and Rider’s Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy. The university also issued a no-contact order to the suspected individual involved in both incidents.
Public Safety notified the university about the incident in compliance with the “Timely Warning” provision of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998. According to CleryCenter.org, under the Clery Act, colleges and universities use timely warnings and emergency notifications to inform the campus community of potential threats against which they can take preventive measures.
“Rider university takes allegations of fondling and other crimes very seriously. The university is committed to sustaining an environment dedicated to learning and mutual respect as reflected in the University’s mission, Statement of Community Values and Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy. As per the Policy, Rider prohibits all forms of discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking,” Public Safety wrote in their email to the university.
Associate Vice President for University Marketing and Communications Kristine Brown added, “We encourage our students to always come forward and report incidents to Public Safety, the public safety and our student affairs team are there to help students, no questions asked day or night. Reporting an incident is the best way for us to be able to help keep the community safe at large. The more information we have, the better off it would be.”
