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Canton Police Department not asked to investigate reported SUNY Canton sexual assault

Posted 4/25/16

By CRAIG FREILICH CANTON – SUNY Canton officials are investigating a report of a sexual assault at an off-campus fraternity house on April 17 and reported to them April 19 but the Canton Police …

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Canton Police Department not asked to investigate reported SUNY Canton sexual assault

Posted

By CRAIG FREILICH

CANTON – SUNY Canton officials are investigating a report of a sexual assault at an off-campus fraternity house on April 17 and reported to them April 19 but the Canton Police Department has not been called in.

Four students and the Alpha Theta Gamma fraternity house at 53 Court Street have been placed on suspension.

“This means that the fraternity is not permitted to host events or operate in any way as an organization during the suspension,” a statement from the college said.

The students are on interim suspension, which the college says is “the first step toward removal from the college.”

The suspension of the students and the fraternity are in effect until the conclusion of the college’s investigation, according to college spokesman Greg Kie.

The victim has not been identified by the college, nor are details of the incident available. The college has not said if the alleged victim required medical attention.

Nor would they say if campus police or village police are handling any part of the investigation.

Interim Canton Police Chief Basil Cheney says he is aware of the alleged incident through SUNY Canton officials but his department is not part of the investigation because “we do not have a complaint which the victim has reported to us,” nor has the college requested their help.

In such a case the victim decides to whom he or she will report the incident.

SUNY Canton spokesman Kie would not say if the alleged incident has been reported to campus police. He said that “due to the sensitive nature of the investigation we cannot discuss details.”

A statement from the college said, “SUNY Canton President Dr. Zvi Szafran and the college’s administration have re-emphasized the college’s strong standpoint on sexual violence. ‘Our campus has a zero-tolerance policy on any form of sexual assault,’ the President said. ‘We are currently investigating the allegations and will be taking appropriate disciplinary actions.’

“During these final weeks of the semester, we strongly encourage students to remain vigilant about their personal safety,” the statement said.