4 Rapes Reported At Cal State San Marcos In First Weeks Of Fall Semester

SAN MARCOS, CA — Four rapes were reported at Cal State San Marcos student housing within the first three weeks of September, prompting the university to increase patrols and security measures, a university spokesperson confirmed to Patch.

The attacks were reported Sept. 5 at The Quad Residence Hall, Sept. 6 at University Village Apartments, Sept. 13 at Black Oak Hall, and Sept. 18 at The Quad, CSU San Marcos spokesperson Jerry McCormick told Patch.

They involve four separate cases, each involving a different man and woman, McCormick confirmed to Patch. In each case, the person who reported the assault knew or was acquainted with the alleged attacker. All four incidents occurred in student housing.

All four cases remain under investigation.

The university is increasing patrols and working with housing officials to bolster security while providing support and resources to the victims, according to McCormick.

CSU San Marcos is limited in what it can disclose beyond information included in timely warnings issued to the campus community in order to protect the privacy of those involved, he said.

The reports come during a period sometimes referred to as the "Red Zone," the first several weeks of the fall semester when research has found college students can face an elevated risk of sexual violence, according to the university.

CSU San Marcos said it offers prevention and consent education before students arrive on campus and continues those efforts throughout the year. Programs include bystander-intervention training, confidential advocate services and efforts to make students aware of available campus resources.

"Sexual assault is never acceptable and is never the survivor's fault," McCormick said in a statement to Patch. "Consent must be affirmative, voluntary and ongoing. It cannot be assumed because people know one another or have an existing relationship, and a person who is incapacitated cannot consent."

The university said it wants students who experience sexual violence to feel supported in reporting it.

"Through education, prevention, and increased awareness of resources, we hope both to reduce sexual violence and ensure students know where to turn for support," McCormick said.

Anyone affected by sexual violence can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.