Four rapes rock California college in the first three weeks of semester

Four rapes have been reported at Cal State San Marcos since the start of September, with each incident involving people who knew one another, according to the university.

The reports were made on four separate dates and involved three locations: The Quad on Sept. 5 and Sept. 18, University Village Apartments on Sept. 6 and Black Oak Hall on Sept. 13.

Jerry McCormick, a spokesperson for Cal State San Marcos, confirmed the reports to the California Post and said the four incidents are not believed to be connected.

In each case, McCormick said, the individuals involved knew one another.

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

The university notified students, faculty and staff about the reported rapes through campus safety alerts issued due to the federal Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, which requires colleges and universities to provide timely warnings about certain crimes that may pose a threat to the campus community.

“We want students who experience sexual violence to feel supported in coming forward,” McCormick said.

The university has released limited information about the incidents in an effort to protect the privacy of those involved.

The university’s police crime log does not indicate that any arrests have been made in connection with the four reports.

The California Post reached out to University Police for additional information but did not immediately hear back.

The reports also come during a period at universities when sexual assault cases are common.

“The first six weeks of the fall semester at universities across the nation are often called the ‘Red Zone,’ when the risk of campus sexual violence is elevated,” McCormick said.

McCormick added that Cal State San Marcos begins educating students about consent and sexual assault prevention before they arrive on campus and continues those efforts throughout the academic year.