UC Berkeley police investigate alleged sexual assault at campus library

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- UC Berkeley police are investigating a woman's claim that she was sexually assaulted in a campus library. The allegation comes as the university takes action to prevent attacks and support victims.

Police can't confirm whether a crime happened. They don't think there's a threat to the community. The reporting party is not a Berkeley student.

Word of the sexual assault startled some students, while others say they are getting used to hearing about attacks.

"Honestly you hear these stories so often you develop numbness, which is really sad," said UC Berkeley student Christen Moore.

A 20-year-old woman told police she was attacked in a university library Tuesday around 12:30 a.m. No arrests have been made. This comes just as UC Berkeley is beefing up its staff to support survivors of sexual assault. Two more people have been hired as confidential care advocates to help operate a 24-hour seven day a week phone line to offer free services for victims.

"What they do is they help you find housing and figure out arrangements for your mental health. There are a lot of different things that other campus administrators aren't able to do, which is a really great thing for students because we don't have a lot of people that we can speak to confidentially about this issue," said Thanh Bercher, student activist.

Students say they are sad there is a need for such a service, but relieved to know it is there.

"That's very comforting I hope I will never have to use it good to know they have that available to us," said Sara Kohroti, UC Berkeley student.

The first confidential care advocate was hired earlier this year. They will be responsible for training faculty and other students on how to assist survivors of sexual assault.