Two UC Berkeley students report being sexually assaulted at off-campus parties

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Berkeley police are investigating two claims of sexual assault reported on the same night, both involving fraternity houses. Now, UC Berkeley students are being warned for precaution against personal safety.

The assaults occurred off campus, which is why the Berkeley Police Department is involved and not the university.

Some UC Berkeley students told ABC7 News these types of cases have definitely changed the culture at UC Berkeley.

Both female students reported the separate incidents early Sunday morning after attending parties at two UC Berkeley fraternities the night before. "We responded to the scene, we collected and processed evidence and the investigation is ongoing," Berkeley police Sgt. Andrew Frankel said.

One of the fraternities is located on the 2300 block of Piedmont Avenue known as fraternity row. The other is located on the 2400 block of Prospect Avenue.

On Tuesday, many students were aware of the alleged assaults. "It was very shocking that someplace like UC Berkeley would have that going on," UC Berkeley Maite Garcia said.

While Berkeley police have arrested anyone at this time, they are taking the matter very seriously. One of the women reported knowing the person who assaulted her. Eighty percent of these cases are perpetrated by someone they know. But the second woman was not familiar with the person who assaulted her.

"I think anytime where college students in a lot of cases are drinking more alcohol than they should, going out without a plan, maybe not looking out for their friends, there is the potential that this could happen," Frankel said.

UC Berkeley students are given a safety orientation and the prevention message is constantly enforced. "They're really adamant about what consent was, like what certain situations consent can be given and stuff like that," UC Berkeley Wyatt Goertler said.

"My study groups are at night so we walk together, we UBER together, we gather to be safe with all this crime around, it's just crazy," UC Berkeley student Ashley Romo said.

According to police on some campuses sexual assault numbers are going up only because more people are reporting them.

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