The woman has declined to press charges against her alleged attacker, who has been suspended pending an investigation by the school
MAHWAH -- A Ramapo College student reported being sexually assaulted on campus Tuesday but has declined to pursue criminal charges against her alleged attacker, police and school officials said. The college has launched an investigation and is taking other measures in response to the incident, Peter Mercer, the school's president, said in a statement.
RELATED: Ramapo mulls hard-liquor ban following sex assault allegation
The 19-year-old victim told police around 1:15 a.m. she had been attacked earlier in the evening by another student she'd just met. The attack occurred at the Overlook dorm, Chief of Police James Batelli said. According to a statement from the college, friends of the woman "came forward...and sought help on her behalf." The woman was treated at Valley Hospital, where she was interviewed by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the Mahwah Police Department.
Batelli said in an email Tuesday night the woman is free to press charges at a later date and that this was explained to her. He declined to release additional details about the incident. The college did not immediately respond to an email seeking more information.
MORE: Police stepping up patrols around Rutgers following sexual assault
The student identified as the assailant has been suspended and removed from campus pending the outcome of an investigation, the college said.
The incident occurred during the school's "Welcome Week," which included "bystander intervention training" known as Green Dot, held Monday and Tuesday, when the attack was reported. The school credited that training in the decision by the victim's friends to come forward.
The school also admitted that Mahwah police had been summoned to campus for several incidents of underage drinking early Tuesday. The school has been especially focused on alcohol-related problems since November, when five men were each accused of either taking part in a sexual assault or "aiding and encouraging" those who did.
In response to the latest incident, Mahwah police will now be patrolling on campus, Mercer said. The school's drug and alcohol education programs will also be enhanced and meetings will be held with campus leaders.
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook
