It is unknown if the three cases occurred at the same fraternity, or fraternities, as the previous incidents. The university declined to release the names of the involved frats, spokesperson Lisa Powers said, to protect the integrity of the investigation, protect the anonymity of the victims and to not unfairly blame all individuals who may live at the same address.
The first reported incident this month allegedly occurred around midnight Aug. 18 at an unnamed off-campus fraternity. According to the report, multiple people were assaulted by the same individual. The second case, which mentioned both a sexual assault and fondling, was also alleged to have occurred Aug. 18. It was reported about a week later, on Friday morning.Last year, six sex offenses were reported in August — with four occurring during the final weekend of the month. Classes began Aug.
The high number of offenses comes during what sexual violence experts refer as the “red zone,” the six-week start of the fall semester when such assaults typically reach their peak. According to the timely warnings issued by Penn State, it can be “assumed that conditions continue to exist that may pose a threat to members and guests of the university community.”
University Park provides several resources for sexual assault victims, including medical assistance and emotional support, which can be found on the Title IX page at