2008 Woodie Awards
Assault coverage draws concern
Kurtis Hiatt - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 11/26/07 Section: Metro
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UI President Sally Mason asked the media last week to be respectful during an alleged sexual-assault investigation that might involve three Hawkeye football players.
"I don't want to compromise any investigations or further harm the victim in any of this," she said. "I would hope the media, in particular, would be respectful until the investigation is done."
The president also voiced concern for the reported victim.
"I'm particularly concerned for the victim and her family to make certain that things can be treated in a way that she is not further traumatized," Mason said. "She's already been in a difficult situation, and we want to try to help as much as we can to get through this process."
No new information has been released since a Nov. 14 investigation of Hillcrest Residence Hall.
On Nov. 17, the state Board of Regents released a statement regarding the reported sexual assault.
"When there is an incident such as that alleged in Iowa City, the board seeks to make sure that the university followed the proper processes and procedures in dealing with the incident and that there are appropriate policies in place," the statement said.
Mason said Regent President Michael Gartner sent her an e-mail to ensure officials followed the proper processes, and there were regents on campus Nov. 19 to determine a timeline for the investigation.
Due process is also weighing on Mason's mind, she said, adding that she wants everyone to be patient to "make sure the legal process can work."
University officials will not tolerate violence, she said, "especially sexual assaults of any kind." She noted that the situation is "unfortunate" and "very sad."
The comments came following a state Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa City police, and UI police investigation of some Hillcrest rooms on Nov. 14. On Nov. 7, a woman reportedly told UI police that she had been assaulted in the early morning hours of Oct. 14 in a Hillcrest room.
"I don't want to compromise any investigations or further harm the victim in any of this," she said. "I would hope the media, in particular, would be respectful until the investigation is done."
The president also voiced concern for the reported victim.
"I'm particularly concerned for the victim and her family to make certain that things can be treated in a way that she is not further traumatized," Mason said. "She's already been in a difficult situation, and we want to try to help as much as we can to get through this process."
No new information has been released since a Nov. 14 investigation of Hillcrest Residence Hall.
On Nov. 17, the state Board of Regents released a statement regarding the reported sexual assault.
"When there is an incident such as that alleged in Iowa City, the board seeks to make sure that the university followed the proper processes and procedures in dealing with the incident and that there are appropriate policies in place," the statement said.
Mason said Regent President Michael Gartner sent her an e-mail to ensure officials followed the proper processes, and there were regents on campus Nov. 19 to determine a timeline for the investigation.
Due process is also weighing on Mason's mind, she said, adding that she wants everyone to be patient to "make sure the legal process can work."
University officials will not tolerate violence, she said, "especially sexual assaults of any kind." She noted that the situation is "unfortunate" and "very sad."
The comments came following a state Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa City police, and UI police investigation of some Hillcrest rooms on Nov. 14. On Nov. 7, a woman reportedly told UI police that she had been assaulted in the early morning hours of Oct. 14 in a Hillcrest room.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 10
student
posted 11/26/07 @ 5:41 AM CST
It seems to me that the speculation about who police were investigating toward the end of your article does not demonstrate the responsible media coverage that Mason called for. (Continued…)
k
posted 11/26/07 @ 6:38 AM CST
i agree...leave it to the di to write about sally mason asking for cooperation and undermine her entire request and the entire article by giving names and room numbers. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 11/26/07 @ 1:30 PM CST
I agree...the DI is very irresponsible in the reporting of this story. Other news agency's were slow to divulge the names until the DI violated the code of ethics that governs most reporting. (Continued…)
Hmmmm
posted 11/26/07 @ 3:28 PM CST
I find it interesting that the Board of Regents released a comment on Nov 17th that suggested that they wanted to "make sure that the university followed proper processes and procedures. (Continued…)
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