Rape Investigations Underway On OU's Campus

Two rapes, and another attempted rape are under investigation at the University of Oklahoma. The alleged crimes span between September up until just three days ago.

University police reports reveal the Couch Center as the address for two of the more recent crimes. Earlier in the month, one rape was reported at Couch, while the attempted rape case was reported to have happened this past Sunday.

“A little shocked,” says student Hunter Park. "I didn't realize that stuff went on as much as it does and I haven't hear anything until just now."

Reports for both of those cases are very similar.

Regarding Sunday's attempted rape, a male suspect reportedly forced himself on a female victim while she was "incapacitated.” On November 18, a separate victim was said to have been raped while she was intoxicated.

Suspects have been identified in both cases, and investigations are ongoing.

“I feel relatively safe on campus,” says another OU student, Brooke Streater. "I don't know if this was a freak accident, if someone decided they wanted to have a good time and it went too far."

However, students who live in the Couch dorm say they remember another rape that happened back in October, in the South Oval near the Bizzell Library. According to campus police reports, that's still under investigation.

“It was a girl walking back at 2:00 a.m.,"  says OU student Hollins Glanzer, "and I guess she was caught or taken by a man.”

OU Police says the victim in that case did not know her attacker.

Students say everyday it's important to take steps towards a safer campus because these crimes do not reflect their whole of their university.

“Especially kids coming into college,” says Student Tessa Eckeberger. "We are freshmen and at the beginning of the year, I was really naïve, and then, once you hear about something like that happening, it makes you realize, 'be aware and stay safe.'"

Students are urged to use SafeRide or SafeWalk if they in danger. However, if two of these alleged crimes did happen behind closed doors, possibly in a dorm, that's what's causing concern for many on campus.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the first rape was reported in October.