University campus with safety signs and awareness banners.
Louisville, Ky. — A 21-year-old man was arrested on Saturday in connection with a recent sexual assault that occurred on the campus of the University of Kentucky (UK). The suspect, identified as Saif Al-Khafaji, is currently a student at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).
The incident took place earlier in November, specifically on the night of November 10. According to a report from the UK Police Department, the assault occurred near the intersection of Rose Street and Euclid Avenue, a location close to the campus police headquarters.
Al-Khafaji faces serious allegations including sexual abuse and indecent exposure. The arrest was made by the Louisville Airport Police, who had information pointing to his involvement in the case. Police were able to connect him to the incident based on descriptions provided by the victim and through the campus security camera system.
Al-Khafaji’s legal troubles do not end with this latest charge. He is also scheduled to appear in court on Monday for a pretrial conference related to earlier accusations of harassment and stalking at EKU. These earlier allegations emerged following reports made to EKU police in April of this year, where several female students claimed they were targeted by Al-Khafaji while walking on campus.
According to the victims, Al-Khafaji pressured them into returning to his dorm room, inducing fear that they could be physically harmed or suffer further sexual assault. In an interview with EKU police, Al-Khafaji claimed he had engaged with numerous women on campus in hopes of establishing a romantic relationship.
This recent incident is the fifth reported sexual assault on the UK campus in just three months. UK police noted that three incidents were reported in September, followed by another assault in October. Although the victims in these cases were familiar with their assailants, officials insisted that the reports from September and October were unrelated to each other.
Following these incidents, UK police had announced increased patrols across the campus on November 8, shortly before the November 10 assault. This decision was also in response to a separate incident that involved gunfire near the campus.
In light of the rising number of sexual assault cases, UK police encouraged any individuals affected by such incidents to reach out to their Special Victims Unit for assistance. The university offers free and confidential support through the Violence and Intervention Prevention Center for survivors of sexual violence.
The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization has advised students to stay vigilant, look out for friends, and report any instances of sexual violence. They emphasize the importance of personal safety, advising against posting precise locations online and encouraging students to avoid walking alone on campus.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, there are resources available through the local campus offices and support centers. It is crucial for students to know that they are not alone and that help is accessible.
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