University of the West Indies principal Brian Copeland yesterday finally confirmed that the second-year student who was attacked on campus on Tuesday was in fact sexually assaulted by her attacker.
During a press conference yesterday, Copeland said, “Our preliminary investigation, upon receiving the student’s initial report to campus security, revealed no evidence of sexual assault. However, the student’s formal statement, which was made the following evening, included further details related to the incident. This now includes details of indecent assault on the student.”
In an initial media statement, however, UWI had said the student was not sexually assaulted and during his conversations with the media and students during Thursday’s student protest at the campus, Copeland had again denied there was sexual assault involved.
Yesterday, UWI officials indicated that several new measures were being immediately implemented to beef up security on the campus, including joint patrols with police and UWI Estate Police and the possibility that a mobile police unit would once again be set up on campus.
UWI’s assistant head of security Gregory Corraspe also promised more lighting and even a mobile app which would serve as an alert to responders when students feel threatened. Corraspe also suggested that they are currently exploring the feasibility of instating a “swipe gate” system by which entry can only be gained via using an access card.
Speaking to reporters after the conference, Student Guild president Darrion Narine said, “I think this a victory for the students because it shows when we stand up for what is right, when we stand up for what we know and what we know to be true, etcetera, that we can get everybody else to realise that is truth. I think that’s the most important thing here right now.”
But Narine remained sceptical of the promises made.
“I feel as if this was just a mitigation tactic, you know, just something to mitigate everything that’s occurred. They had to do this, they really didn’t have a choice in the matter. I’m hoping for the best, I’m a hopeful individual.”