UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt said Friday that sexual assault reports on campus have doubled in the past year, which could be lengthening the total time it takes for each case to be investigated.
“As chancellor, nothing matters more to me than the safety and well-being of our campus community and how our university responds to these issues and your concerns,” Folt wrote in an open letter to the UNC-CH campus community. “In every situation, we must be fair to all of the individuals involved and not rush to judgment — regardless of how that approach and the time it takes might be viewed in the court of public opinion.”
Folt announced that the university has had a 52 percent increase of formal investigations of sexual assault and a 156 percent increase in requests for accommodations, resources and other support between 2013-14 and 2014-15.
This comes after UNC-CH sophomore Delaney Robinson went public with her story, accusing UNC-CH football player Allen Artis of sexual assault. Robinson announced in a news conference last week that she believed the university was not handling the situation with much respect or efficiency, adding that investigators asked her demeaning questions about what she was wearing, among other things.
“I was treated like a suspect,” Robinson said in a news conference. “My humiliation turned to rage when I watched the recorded interview of my rapist by DPS investigators. Rather than accusing him of anything, the investigators spoke to him in a tone of camaraderie.”
Folt ensured students that the university is taking all the right steps in investigating the situation, adding that it might take longer than expected.
“We are committed to ensuring every step of our policy and procedures is correctly followed,” Folt said. “Sometimes, to get it right takes longer than anticipated. But in the end, a respectful, reliable and equitable investigation must be the result. I want to reassure you that Carolina follows the highest standards based on federal law and guidance.”
There were protests in Chapel Hill Friday, including the “Stand with Survivors” rally Friday evening, in which around 200 students participated, according to The News & Observer. Many students involved in the protests claimed that university officials did not take Robinson’s claims of sexual assault seriously.
“I have confidence in the people responsible for our campus process, including our Title IX Office, Student Affairs and the Department of Public Safety,” Folt said in conclusion. “They are outstanding professionals who care deeply about our students, faculty and staff. We are all dedicated to prevention, safety, treating people with compassion and respect, achieving fair outcomes and continuing to do everything possible to get these processes right.”
