An investigation is underway at Villanova University after a student reported being raped by an Uber driver inside a dorm building on campus, school officials said.
The university community was notified of the incident on Friday through an alert issued by David Tedjeske, the university’s director of public safety and chief of police. He said a student came forward with the claim earlier in the day, telling school authorities she was attacked during the overnight hours of Sept. 13-14, NBC Philadelphia reported.
After being out that night, the student said she got an Uber back to The Commons residence hall complex — a dorm tucked on Lancaster Avenue amidst fraternities and sororities as well as other houses. Once he dropped her off, the driver followed her inside the building and raped her, the student claims.
Villanova authorities were able to quickly identify the driver, who has been banned from campus while officers continue to investigate the alleged rape, according to Tedjeske’s alert.
In a statement to CBS News Philadelphia, Uber said it was cooperating with the investigation.
“Sexual assault is a devastating crime that has no place in our society,” the rideshare company said. “We are appalled by what’s been described, and banned the driver as soon as this was reported to us. We will assist law enforcement however we can.”
Tedjeske concluded his alert by urging students who may have experienced a similar crime to utilize all on-campus resources, including Public Safety’s 24/7 phoneline. He added that the school partners with Delaware County Victim Assistance Center, which is also available to assist students in need.
