Winthrop students demand stronger safety measures after on-campus sex assault

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Students at Winthrop University have a protest planned Friday to demand increased safety measures on campus.

Last month, a man was accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside her Winthrop University dorm. Investigators released a sketch of the suspect that they are using as they try to find him.

In the wake of the attack, students have called for more police patrols and extra lighting near dorms.

Students said they’ll take their concerns straight to the school president’s home on Friday. The demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

The sexual assault happened at about 10 a.m. on Nov. 16, authorities said. The victim told officers that a man came into her room in Phelps Hall and sexually assaulted her.

Winthrop officials don’t believe the attacker is affiliated with the university and said he didn’t know the victim.

“We pay way too much money to have so many issues here,” said one of the protest coordinators, Grayce Kellem.

“We don’t feel safe, we don’t feel like we are where we need to be,” said sophomore Ainsley MccArthy.

The students who organized the protest are members of a group called Winthrop University Students for Change. They posted a petition on Change.org asking for several reforms, including safety changes like:

• The ability to park closer to resident halls
• A ban on parking tickets until spots closer to dorms are added
• Functioning blue lights and installation of more security cameras at each outdoor emergency pole
• More security cameras across campus

“We definitely need more lighting, I can barely see after dark,” MccArthy said.

“It shouldn’t be this easy for someone that is not associated with the campus to come on campus, target a random student, and leave,” a student added. “All without having been charged, it’s been like two weeks now.”

A spokeperson for the school said they have no response right now to the students’ list of demands.

School officials have mentioned implementing some long-term safety changes on campus, but said on Friday they don’t have an update on that plan.

After the attack, surveillance cameras captured images of the possible suspect leaving campus. He was described as having a muscular build, in his early 20s, about 6 feet tall with has dark, brown hair and blue eyes.

The man was wearing dark pants, a dark blue-black baseball hat with a white logo, and black athletic shoes.

No other information about this case has been released but officials told Channel 9 there is a reward of up to $1,000 being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

If you think you recognize this man, call 1-877-409-4321.

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