Wichita State students protest over reported dorm rape

WICHITA — More than 200 people have marched to the Wichita State University police station to protest the handling of a reported rape in a dormitory.

The Wichita Eagle reports that students gathered Friday at Shocker Hall, where the sexual assault is alleged to have occurred Sept. 12. They then marched to the campus police station. Some carried signs reading “We deserve a rape-free campus” and “WSU, do better.”

One concern the students raised was that they only found out about the rape report in the campus newspaper, The Sunflower.

Student Rija Nazir said she was disgusted that information wasn’t sent out through Rave Guardian, a phone app that students are encouraged to download so they can keep in touch with someone when walking alone and receive emergency alerts affecting the campus.

Alondra Aguilera, a junior who led the protest, said protest organizers were offered a private meeting with campus police leadership, but declined that and counter-offered to let them speak at the demonstration. Police declined.

WSU Dean of Students Aaron Austin watched the demonstration from a short distance away. He said it would be inappropriate to comment on the case that brought the students out, but that the university supported their right to peacefully protest.

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