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Sexual Assault Reported Downtown Save Email Print
34 comments
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UPDATED Monday, October 13, 2008 --- 11 a.m.

According to Madison Police, a 20-year-old woman was walking home at 2:16 a.m. when she was confronted by the suspect in a dark alleyway shortly after two o'clock Sunday morning.

The UW student was going home to her residence in the 400 block of N. Henry when she said she was approached by somebody at the back of the residence. This person -- a stranger -- assaulted her and fled.

The woman was not otherwise injured, and was not hospitalized.

The male suspect is described as 5'6 with a medium build and wearing a black hoodie.

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Posted by: Julie Location: Madison on Oct 16, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Yup..kinda lost me on the birth control analogy.
Posted by: Emily Location: Madison on Oct 15, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Rachel- she was not raped, first of all- second, the issue is not about consent, the issue is personal responsibility for a person's own safety. Sure, you can get pregnant using birth control- but there is a 100% tried and true method of contraception- it is called abstinence, a dedicated and personally declared decision to be "SAFE" from getting pregnant! So, to use your own logic, if you don't want to get pregnant, a 100% guarantee, then you don't have sex- so if you don't want to be assaulted, you make a conscious, dedicated decision not to put yourself in situations where that may happen! your own logic at work, idiot! Busses? You don't want to get hit by a bus near your house, don't live on a bus line, a conscious decision to avoid a situation where it may happen, and watch for busses, a precaution taken world over by people who live on bus routes and don't get run over! it isn't about consent Rachel- & you keep getting in deeper w/ each stupid hypothetical situation you bring up!
Posted by: Andrea Location: Madison on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Good Lord Rachel! First busses, now contraceptives... what next, the probability of being abducted by aliens? Like the automotive industry, the law, and the insurance industry all say- in any accident, where no one was planning anything, both parties are at least 5% negligent just for being there. Negligent, for putting one's self in a situation that may, or may not, have been avoided. Now, that is an accident. this was a crime Rachel, but it was a crime of opportunity! Generally, not always, but generally, people commiting crimes against a person proper do not stalk, follow, or track their victims. they wait, and if the opportunity presents itself, the criminal avails themselves to the chance provided. So, you want a 100% safe environment? better go build a biodome and live alone, because the minute you put one animal, person, or insect in there, chances are, something is going to happen!
Posted by: Reality on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:09 AM
Yes Rachel your are right, it was a stupid decision. Stupidity contributed to the problem. Without the stupidity there would be no opportunity for the jerk. Many precautions could have been taking to avoid this. Should we just stop taking precautions because something could happen anyway? Now, that's just plain dumb!
Posted by: rachel on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:09 AM
PS. you guys are totally missing the point. Alex- "If you don't desire, or consent, to being raped, then stay out of dark alleyways." What about the people that are raped in their homes? Do they desire to be raped? You probbably think it's not their fault because they locked their doors and someone broke in, right? Well what if I STUPIDLY forget to lock my doors tonight (just like it IS stupid to walk alone at night), was it my DESIRE for bad things to happen to me and to get raped? I think we all would agree that just because I didn't take any precautions to protect myself (ie locking my doors, living in a safe neighborhood, etc.) it still would not be my fault, just as the girl was not desiring this to happen to her (although of course, she should have called a cab, friend, safewalk, etc.)
Posted by: rachel on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:00 AM
yes, it was a stupid decision but just because she didn't take SMART precautions STILL DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN BLAME HER AND SAY SHE ASKED FOR IT! And Alex, people DO watch for busses and STILL get hit!!! Do we blame the victim? No. So you agree, when you take precautions, and bad stuff happens, we say it's not your fault, you tried. Right??? However, it is a slippery slope to say BECAUSE this girl didn't take precautions that it was bound to happen to her... How many precautions does one need to take for it to not be their fault? One? Two? Even so, bad things STILL happen even when we take tons of precautions (ex. using contraceptions but the small chance of getting pregnant is still there) so I for one feel quite uncomfortable BLAMING THE VICTIM even if she didn't take ANY precautions! Blame the problem- the criminals
Posted by: Julie Location: Madison on Oct 15, 2008 at 04:23 AM
In this initial news report, I do not see the words alcohol or rape. What I do see is, 2:16 am and sexual assualt. Yes, it is bar time and no, not every person walking or driving at that time of morning has just left the bar. There are 4 degrees of sexual assault. As worded, "no injuries (physical) & no hospitalization" (SANE Exam)leads one to assume the victim was not raped. This is not to lessen this students ordeal. That being said, it is 2008. UW-Madison has a student population of 41,000(approx). In 2007, there were 15 violent crimes (murder, forcible rape, aggravated assault & robbery) & 475 property crimes. The city is worse - data at www.fbi.gov So blame the criminal for the crime? Absolutely! However, it is of little comfort to a victim, when there were proactive steps that would have decreased being victimized in the first place. Criminals dont ask for consent (post by rachel). They do look for opportunity. Assume personal responsibility & do your best not to provide one!
Posted by: Jake Location: Madison on Oct 15, 2008 at 02:07 AM
Yeah, Rachel, but then you could sue the bus company, and make millions of dollars, for violating the front yard variances set forth in the building codes of the city of Madison which say that a house has to be set back so many feet from a roadway proper, which would certainly eliminate the possibility of anyone getting hit by a bus stepping out their front door, unless the driver was driving on the lawn, but then wouldn't you see the bus before you stepped out? How, exactly, do you walk out of your house anyway, Rachel? bent over and backwards? How would you not see a bus coming at your house, unless you were blind, or walking backwards, or lived on a 180 degree hairpin turn. Wouldn't you know busses came that close to the house when you moved in there anyway? I mean, if you're going to be worried about busses hitting you, wouldn't you look for a home away from busses, and wouldn't you kind of know, since you live there, that the busses come so close when you're not walking out?
Posted by: Reality on Oct 14, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I'm not sure the bus thing worked. I think it would be more like blindly crossing the beltline at rush hour. Sure, many would hit the brakes and let you cross, but you know some idiot will run you down. Walking home during the day would be more like the bus thing. Go ahead, gamble, it's your life.
Posted by: Alex Location: Madison on Oct 14, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Rachel- I can't get hit by a bus if I step outside my front door because the street is behind my house, and there isn't a bus route on my street, and I generally turn around and lock my door after stepping out, so theoretically I would hear the bus go wooshing past me because I didn't step off the stoop! Nobody is saying this woman consented- but there is personal responsibility, as you point out, in every decision. if you're that afraid you're going to be run down by a bus, move to the country, or verona, or mcfarland, or oregon, where there are no busses, except school busses, and those only run twice a day! If you don't desire, or consent, to being raped, then stay out of dark alleyways, since any police officer will tell you that the 1st thing criminals avoid is attention! Besides, if she was a student, she could have called safewalk. story doesn't say she is, so I figure she isn't, just like the story doesn't say she consented to the sex, so I figure she didn't, right rachel?
Posted by: rachel Location: madison on Oct 14, 2008 at 08:40 AM
take a morality lesson people- no one consents to being attacked... so if you put up bars on your window and someone breaks in we would all agree that you did not consent to the robber breaking in. however, even if you didn't take the precaution of putting up bars like most people don't (or maybe "stupidly" walking home alone) we STILL wouldn't say that you consented to the robber (or that it's her fault she was attacked!). think about this- there is risk all around us, what if you walk out the door and get hit by a bus. everyone knows this COULD happen, but we don't say that when it does happen you consented to it happening because you knew there was a risk of getting hit by a bus but did it anywas. so even when the girl knew there are risks of walking alone and people know the risks of getting hit by a bus- NO ONE ASKS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO THEM.
Posted by: Jake Location: Madison on Oct 13, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Yeah, anonymous at 1:07 PM on 10/13! you are so pathetic for judging us for judging someone else and deciding we are pathetic, which is your decision, or verdict, of what people who are quick to judge makes them! Sooo, as is often said, by calling us pathetic, you are judging us, therefore judging yourself and calling yourself pathetic, and I am happy to say, that anyone who gets on a news blog and calls themselves pathetic is also a total freaking moron! the victim should have gone home a different way.
Posted by: oh bother Location: reality on Oct 13, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Cassandra hit our current system's litigious stupidity right smack on the head!!
Posted by: Cassandra Location: Madison on Oct 13, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Katie- just to use your logic, to see how solid it is- detox is filled with 20 year old law breaking underage drinkers, who are so wasted they are a danger to themselves, but it is not their fault, so we should immediately arrest: 1. the bartenders who serve them 2. the club owners who hired the bartenders 3. the parents for having the child 4. the employer/ financial aid/ parents who supplied the funds to pay for the drinks 5. the alcohol manufacturer for producing a product that intoxicated the underage person 6. the makers of the glass/ cup that held the alcohol 7. the landlord of the person's apartment because it was too far away from the bar to walk to 8. the federal government for making money, because if they didn't have money, they couldn't get drunk... somewhere in there Katie, the underage drinker would have to take responsibility, just like when you walk down a dark alley, you take your own safety into your hands, it was avoidable.
Posted by: amazed Location: dane county on Oct 13, 2008 at 01:55 PM
I think the blame lies completely with the criminal, because that person made the choice to do something illegal. But people have a responsibility to watch out for themselves. If you don't think it can happen to you, better hire a bodyguard.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2008 at 01:05 PM
some of you are so pathetic, so quick to judge. get a life
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Previous UW Student... I'm not goin to be walking into a lions den eating a steak and not expect him to attack me, I dont drive 12&18 expecting to get from one side of town to the other in 10 minutes at 5 pm. I'm not going to walk around at 2:15am by myself and think I am perfectly safe. C'mon, how can you not expect this... Its common sense, the previous comments, excluding the drinking one...are correct, u obviously have WAY too much faith in every person in the world
Posted by: T Location: WI on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Wow! Agree with both sides of this. (1) Everyone should keep their hands , and other body parts to themselves, unless asked by the other person to do whatever. (2) Dont be a fool, walking ANYTIME after dark by yourself in a dark alley is likely going to end in a bad situation. Also, it doesn't matter if you are 20 or 30 yrs old, if you want to drink, chances are their was house parties she could have scored some alcohol. I think that people should not be chastizing the victim, but I do think she should let everyone know that waht happened to her can happen to anyone!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM
get these people off the street's,
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Katie, you indeed are as dumb as a door knob. Why would any sane women walk alone in the alleyway at 2:00am in the morning? Women have a right to be safe anywhere they go, but the reality is..they must use a little COMMON SENSE. If you get that, you're good, if not, you're in need of some help.
Posted by: M Location: Madison on Oct 13, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Wow, blaming the victim! Did any of you even think that maybe this girl was getting off of work? What if all bars closed down by 9 PM so no bartenders and waitstaff would have to walk home late at night? I'm sure you all would love that. And yes, how about the personal responsiblity of people not to assault others?!
Posted by: Jennifer on Oct 13, 2008 at 09:25 AM
I agree with Jan, it's not too brilliant to walk in a dark alley no matter what time it is!
Posted by: a woman Location: madison on Oct 13, 2008 at 09:05 AM
I agree with Katie!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Why was she in a dark ally by her self...duh
Posted by: Jan Location: Madison on Oct 13, 2008 at 08:11 AM
2:00 in the morning dark alley = not a brilliant idea for anyone, male or female. Think people, think!
Posted by: Katie Location: wisconsin on Oct 13, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Sad that people (mom's especially) blame the victim. There are plenty times when people walk the streets alone and they aren't sexually assaulted. Great way to keep blaming the victim and putting no blame on the prepetrator. How about this as a comment : "I can't believe that people can't even walk the streets alone anymore. How horrible that our community has to live in fear of prepetrators. We as a community need to hold these MEN accountable for their actions and make the streets safe again for our daughters, friends, sisters and mothers." THAT'S how you take blame off a victim! And "Think about it...." Article says nothing of her drinking...you think about it - everytime you're out after midnight you're drinking? what if she was studying late and walking home? She's 20 - college age. Not even old enough to be in a bar so why do you jump to the conclusion that she's drunk. Everyone on here blames victims - - when happens to someone you love...Who are you going to blame then?
Posted by: lad on Oct 12, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Who said she was drunk? MOM, you're pretty much saying that she got herself raped because she was out in the early morning hours. She was raped because some loser decided to commit the crime. His fault. period.
Posted by: Previous UW Student Location: Rcihland Center, WI on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:05 PM
You know what's unbelievable? It's you! Personal Responsibility?! For Pete's sake! How about taking personal responsibility for not assaulting another individual!? That's real great of you to assume that she was drunk, too! The article never said that! And even if she was....?! A person should be able to walk at whatever damn time they feel like it! Get serious! Way to blame the victim, who is already in pain! This mentality is one of the many problems with today's society! If people would quit hurting one another, it sure would be a miracle! How about blaming the bastard who hurt her?!
Posted by: anon Location: madison on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:39 PM
i really think that the girl that was assaulted in this situation could have taken proactive measures for her own safety. This could have been prevented you know!
Posted by: Really? Location: Madison on Oct 12, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Seiously? How do you know that she was drunk? That is a really bad think to automatically jump to.
Posted by: Curious? Location: Wisconsin on Oct 12, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Sexual assault is a pretty loose term. It could range from someone actually being raped to some guy touched her on the butt. I wonder what actually happened???
Posted by: Think about it.... on Oct 12, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Maybe you just shouldn't walk alone, wasted beyond belief. There are bad guys out there, and it's unbelieveable that individuals still refuse to take responsibility for their own safety.
Posted by: MOM Location: Madison on Oct 12, 2008 at 03:20 PM
What is wrong with these people (girls especially) thinking they can walk around alone at that hour. I know that no one asks to be assaulted, but come on now... A lot of these crimes are being committed when nobody should be out and about, alone or not. Common sense people! You have to take personal responsibility!
Posted by: wow Location: wisconsin on Oct 12, 2008 at 01:49 PM
wow! you can't even walk in downtown safely anymore!!!!
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