Web Re-Write

Gang rape shocks quaint college town

A violent act against a young woman on Halloween jolts the mountain town of Boulder from its peaceful slumber to highlight an unsettling crime.

By Adrienne Saia Isaac [mailto: adrienne.isaac@colorado.edu - JRS: I'm not sure how to put the "mailto" in]

A recent gang rape in the college town of Boulder, Colorado, brought the issue of sexual assault to the forefront of the town's concern.

According to Boulder police, four men attacked and sexually assaulted a woman in the early hours of Friday, October 31.

No suspects have been arrested.

The sex crime gained immediate notoriety. An e-mail sent by the University of Colorado encouraged students to practice heightened safety procedures.

CU Chancellor Bud Peterson wrote in the e-mail that such crimes “offend the sensibilities and values of our entire campus community.”

Eight sex crimes were reported in Boulder during the month of October.

“So many women don’t report rape because they’re afraid,” said Colin Hotard, a nurse practitioner and volunteer at the Rape Crisis Hotline. “Hopefully this will encourage more women to speak out against their attackers.”

Police records state that Boulder residents reported 37 cases of rape and 94 instances of misdemeanor sexual assault in 2007. Only nine of the 37 rape cases resulted in arrests.

The victim of this recent attack underwent a rape examination. Police are awaiting the results of the DNA tests.

Hotard said that many women shower immediately following a sexual assault, making it difficult to identify their attacker through DNA. When anonymous attacks such as this one occur, DNA evidence might be the only clue to who committed the crime.

A map of the reported attack area and a description of the victim’s clothing can be found here. The Boulder Police also released a description of the attackers.

Anyone with information on this crime is encouraged to contact Boulder Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or 1-800-444-3776, or log on to Colorado Crime Stoppers.