Three rapes have been reported to Baylor police at the same residence hall within two months.
The alleged crimes happened in South Russell Residence Hall located on S. 4th Street.
The rapes were reported on Dec. 2, Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 and all involved the same individuals.
The university said that they cannot comment on Title IX matters.
In an email to residents, the university said: "We take these allegations very seriously, and our firm commitment to our students is to ensure the safety and security of our campus community."
"I cannot imagine the fear of sleeping where you are told to sleep, being in your home. Not feeling safe. These dorms are these students homes. If they are not safe there. Where are they safe on campus," the statement continued.
Central Texas News Now spoke with a Baylor University Junior Cameron Bocanegra who said she was raped off campus her sophomore year. Her case is not related to the three recently reported crimes. However, the 19-year-old said she could not believe this happened at her old dorm room.
"I was surprised. I lived in South Russell for two years: My freshman and sophomore year. I always thought I felt safe. I was raped my sophomore year and I was barely able to leave my dorm for class most of the time," Bocanegra said.
South Russell Residence Hall was an all women residence hall until the Fall of 2015 when it became co-ed.
Baylor University senior Sierra Smith who said she was sexually assaulted on campus in the past became emotional when speaking about the three newly reported cases. Her own case is not related to the alleged crimes but she is appalled it occurred where the students live.
"I cannot imagine the fear of sleeping where you are told to sleep, being in your home, not feeling safe. These dorms are these students' homes. If they are not safe there. Where are they safe on campus?" Smith said.
Smith and Bocanegra both said they would like Baylor to make more tangible changes to support victims. They also hope a Title IX coordinator doesn't leave again.
Baylor University President Linda Livingstone made a statement about the incidents on Monday:
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Recent news articles about reported allegations of rape at two of our residence halls have, understandably, caused some concern and confusion on campus and in the media. We pledge to you that Baylor takes all allegations of sexual assault and interpersonal violence very seriously, has correctly followed its established policies and procedures, and thoroughly assessed every threat to assure the safest environment possible for our students. It’s important to note that the daily crime and fire log consists of reported incidents, which may not have been substantiated or investigated.
I hope that this update will provide some clarity and context about these specific reports, but also provide more information about how reports of incidents like this are handled according to federal law and on our campus.
As we shared with residents at South Russell, the alleged incidents reported anonymously to the University are related and occurred between the same individuals. The incidents that allegedly occurred on Dec. 12, 2018, Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 were reported to Baylor on Jan. 27-28 through EthicsPoint [na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com], the University’s anonymous reporting system, and then entered Jan. 28 on the University’s publicly available daily crime and fire log. This is the proper reporting procedure under federal Clery Act requirements.
Additionally, an alleged incident of rape/dating violence on an unknown date in Alexander Hall was reported anonymously to the University through EthicsPoint on Dec. 11, 2018, and was entered on the daily crime and fire log on Dec. 12, 2018. On both of these reports, the University has followed proper policies and procedures, and at this time, the cases have been referred to Title IX for investigation, according to Baylor’s Title IX policy [na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com]. Depending on an anonymous reporter’s cooperation with the investigation, the University will seek to proceed through the process prescribed under the University’s Title IX policy, including appropriate disciplinary action for any respondents found responsible.
Let us be clear: If any incident poses an imminent threat to campus, Baylor will issue an emergency notification or timely warning through BaylorAlert. More information about notifications is available on the BUPD website: [na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com].
We thought it also would be helpful to explain more about Baylor’s public daily crime and fire log, what is posted on the log, what it means – and doesn’t mean – and why Baylor is obligated to maintain this information and share it publicly.
Per federal Clery Act requirements, Baylor – like all institutions of higher education, whether private or public – is required to maintain a daily crime and fire log. You can find the daily crime and fire log on the BUPD website: [na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com]. You can learn more about the Clery Act at [na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com].
The information on the daily crime and fire log comes from numerous sources, such as anonymous reports via phone or online, the student misconduct process, Campus Security Authorities (CSA), Waco daily crime blotter reports or reports made directly to campus police or to another local law enforcement agency, which then reports them to campus police. All reports of alleged crimes must be entered into the daily crime and fire log within two business days of when they were reported, and a reported crime must be logged regardless of how much time has passed since it occurred. As required, the daily crime and fire log includes up to 60 days of alleged incidents reported to the University.
Again, the daily crime and fire log consists of reported incidents, which may not have been substantiated or investigated. The Clery Act reporting requirements do not make a distinction between whether the reported allegations are true or unfounded but requires that all reports of alleged crimes be recorded and included in the daily crime and fire log.
If you have concerns regarding sexual and interpersonal violence, Baylor has the following resources available:
For overall safety concerns, contact Baylor University Police Department at 254-710-2222.
For concerns in a residence hall, contact the Community Leader assigned to the floor or the Hall Director.
For any Title IX-related issues or questions or to report an incident of sexual assault or interpersonal violence, contact the TIX office at 254-710-8454 or TitleIX_Coordinator@baylor.edu or make a report online at [na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com]or anonymously through the EthicsPoint [na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com]system.
For confidential counseling support, contact the Baylor Counseling Center [na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com]at 254-710-2467 and University Chaplain Dr. Burt Burleson at 254-710-3517.
For more information about sexual assault prevention, visit the RAINN resource page at [na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com].
Let me reassure you that the safety and security of our campus community is our utmost priority. Over the past few years, Baylor has made significant enhancements in our policies and procedures, training and response to reports of sexual and interpersonal violence. Our commitment remains steadfast, and I encourage you to utilize the many resources we have available to you as needed.
Since 2016, two Title IX Coordinators at Baylor University resigned.
According to Baylor University, it implemented 105 recommendations that came from a 2016 external review on how the university handled sexual assault allegations.
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