PSU student reports sexual assault on campus

At 3:14 a.m. on Monday, the Portland State Campus Public Safety Office and Portland Police Bureau responded to the area of Southwest 10th Avenue and Market Street after a report of a sexual assault.

Officers contacted the victim, a 27-year-old female PSU student, who stated she was walking from the area of Southwest 10th Avenue and Yamhill Street to the Stratford Residence Hall at Southwest 10th Avenue and Market Street and remembered a man following her.

The woman said she was hit over the head and woke up in the alley behind her residence hall. The victim reported that she did not know her attacker, and PPB was able to give an initial, limited description of the suspect: a white, adult male, possibly wearing a dark jacket and dark jeans.

Later on Monday morning, PPB released a more detailed description of the subject as a white male in his mid-30s with shaggy, light brown hair, pronounced cheekbones and an unshaven face.

Medical personnel also responded to the call and transported the victim to a Portland hospital for her injuries. CPSO Chief Phil Zerzan said that multiple CPSO and PPB officers, including a K-9 unit, searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

PPB detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect, and request that anyone with information about the incident contact Detective Jason Christensen at 503-823-0894.

About a year ago there was a sexual assault reported in the same area, but the subjects involved were not affiliated with PSU, Zerzan said.

In a “timely warning” email sent to the PSU community at 7:59 a.m. Monday, Zerzan reminded students and faculty to be alert and aware of their surroundings on and off campus, and to call 911 or CPSO at 503-725-4404 if suspicious behavior is observed or personal safety is threatened.

The email also reminded students that support services from the PSU Women’s Resource Center and Student Health and Counseling Services are available for anyone impacted by violence.

The WRC can be contacted at 503-725-5672, and SHAC can be reached at 503-725-2800.