RICHMOND, Va. – Three sexual assaults are being investigated by the VCU Police Department.
The alleged assaults occurred during the early morning hours of Oct. 26, during an off campus party at a private residence in the 1100 block of West Main Street, near the intersection of Harrison Street.
The survivors reported being provided with a beverage that caused them to become incapacitated. Police said that the victims reported they know the suspects.
"I would think that all VCU students would watch out for each other and not let someone up and put something in their drink," said Kristin Dipler.
The VCU Police Department is currently investigating the incident.
In 2011, there were eight reported sexual assaults at both the Monroe and VCU Medical Campus, compared to seven in 2012, followed by eight total in 2013.
Even though the number of reported cases were below double digits, some VCU students said they aren't letting their guard down.
"If we go downtown into a party, we make sure to make our own drink or we'll make sure somebody we know makes our drinks," said Daniella Gutierrez.
Governor McAuliffe recently created a task force to look into sexual assaults on college campuses in Virginia.
Spokesperson Rachel Thomas sent this statement to CBS 6:
"The Governor has charged the task force to work in a collaborative way to find best practices on preventing, responding to, and raising awareness about sexual violence on Virginia's college campuses. Chaired by the Attorney General and including representatives from the university community, law enforcement, victims advocacy groups, and students, the focus of the task force is to work together to ensure that Virginia's college campuses are safe environments and that these issues are addressed appropriately and in conjunction with the local communities."
VCU provided notice of the reported assaults in compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1988.
