A sorority member at the University of Arizona has alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men at a fraternity house during a night of drinking in late August. The student reported to the university’s police department that she consensually kissed one of the men at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on 26 August, but does not remember agreeing to sex, according to search warrant records posted by KOLD-TV in Tucson.
Context
The allegations of sexual assault emerged two weeks after the university suspended activities for its 21 fraternities due to reports of misconduct, including assault, hazing, and drug- and alcohol-related behavior. Suspensions on all but five fraternities have since been lifted after they held mandatory meetings with the dean of students.
Developments
In her statement to investigators, the sorority member recalled consuming tequila and sharing a cup with friends. She described witnessing two men sexually assaulting her and feeling one man’s breath on her face. The next morning, she awoke without pants or underwear and noticed difficulty swallowing, which may indicate strangulation. Later that day, she reported the allegations to police and underwent a forensic exam at a hospital.
In a recorded call with the sorority member two days after the encounter, one of the men acknowledged having sex with her but claimed she had agreed to it. He denied that another man had sex with her and stated he had been drunk and “fuzzy” on the details. He mentioned that people had taken video of them kissing in a bathroom.
