On Monday, Feb. 12, 2006, a Washington University student was sexually assaulted in her own dormitory. Her assailant allegedly knocked on the door to her suite, forced his way into the room and then raped and robbed her. A Wash. U. spokesman claimed that this was the first sexual assault there by an outsider in at least seven years.
We offer our sincerest condolences to this student and to the entire Wash. U. community. No one should be forced to experience such irreparable and wanton violence, especially in a space they consider to be safe.
It is both surprising and distressing that the alleged offender walked into the dorm without using force. Unlike Saint Louis University’s system, desk workers do not guard entrances to Wash. U. residences. Only a card swipe separates student suites from the world outside. It is all too easy to “tailgate,” or sneak in on a previous resident’s swipe.
Recent residence break-ins at Wash. U. and SLU’s DeMattias Hall are doubly distressing in light of the KMOV TV 4 investigative report from three months ago, which scrutinized dorm safety at St. Louis colleges and universities, for which SLU battened down its residential hatches to prepare for public scrutiny.
But what happens when it’s not a drill? What do we do when potential crime becomes real crime?
Wash. U.’s consolidated response to Monday’s assault seems to be that residents are responsible for their own safety. We agree-all students, regardless of their place of residence, should lock their doors, look out for their friends, report suspicious behavior and ask, “Who’s there?” when a stranger knocks.
However, universities are also responsible for student safety. Police officers who guard the Wash. U. dorm doors now will not remain there indefinitely. The feeling of safety they provide must be substantiated by tangible solutions. Wash. U. Residence Life’s recent decision to install peepholes in dorm doors is a valid first step.
We, too, must heed our established safety precautions.
Yes, it is inconvenient to swipe your ID every time you enter your own dorm or apartment. It is easy to grumble when a SLU desk worker insists you check in your friend from across campus. It is tiresome to track that friend’s footsteps all night long and ensure that they leave by a prescribed hour to avoid persecution for cohabitation.
This appalling violation, however, proves that minor inconveniences are well worth the small effort and sacrifice of freedom they require. Crime is a reality in our city. We can protect our neighbors and ourselves by complying with-and, now, appreciating-campus security measures.
