University Police are investigating an alleged rape on Ohio State campus after a female student filed a report Thursday evening.
The incident is reported to have occurred at Jones Tower at 5:30 a.m., according to the University Police website.
University Police Acting Chief Craig Stone said in an email that the case investigation involves two students who are acquainted with one another, but said he was unable to offer more information at this time.
The report was filed just before 9 p.m. Thursday, two hours after Vice President Joe Biden visited OSU to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the “It’s On Us” initiative, a campaign dedicated to ending sexual violence.
At the event, Biden asked students to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable.
“Promise to intervene instead of being a bystander,” Biden said. “Promise to recognize that any time there is no consent or consent cannot be given, it is sexual assault, and it is a crime.”
President Michael Drake announced at the Thursday event a new sexual assault prevention initiative on campus, Buckeyes ACT.
“We will continue to work to ensure a culture of deep and abiding respect across our campus, a place where sexual misconduct and relationship violence are simply unacceptable,” Drake said. “To that end, today we announced Buckeyes ACT, which combines new programs with existing initiatives.”
The program includes mandatory sexual misconduct and relationship violence training for students, the creation of an investigative team on campus to look into sexual assault cases on campus, a 24-hour crisis response program to supplement existing counseling services, and the instatement of new student training and awareness initiatives.
“We are supportive of the University’s ACT program, encourage bystanders to step up and take action if they observe someone being taken advantage of, call our Student Safety Services for an escort, and call the OSU Police for assistance,” Stone said in an email.
