The reported sexual assault of a Penn student Thursday morning has left a sorority shaken and staff at the bar near which it allegedly happened with more questions than answers.
The 21-year-old was attending a Chi Omega crush party at Fiso Lounge at 1437 South St. when the attack occurred, College junior and Chi O president Laura Fluharty said. She would not say whether the alleged victim is a member of the sorority.
Philadelphia Police Sgt. Jim Pauley said the assault, which reportedly occurred in an alley near the bar, was reported at about 1:15 a.m.
But Fiso Lounge manager Tracy Brennan said the attack seems highly improbable because it was not captured on any surveillance footage.
Brennan said the bar has a camera overlooking the area where the student was allegedly assaulted.
"If something happened ... I would have seen it immediately," she said.
Besides the surveillance camera, Brennan said there were nine security guards in place the night of the party -- including one stationed near the back door.
Philadelphia police are reviewing the tapes for evidence of the attack, but Pauley would not comment on any results.
Due to the nature of the case, police could not indicate whether they have any suspects.
KYW News reported that the female student was leaving the party when she realized she left her coat at the bar. It was reported that a man approached the student to help locate the item but instead sexually assaulted her in the bar's backyard. The student managed to escape and called friends to pick her up. She was taken to a nearby hospital and later released.
Fluharty disputed parts of this account, but would not provide contradictory information.
The Philadelphia Police Department Special Victims Unit is looking into the case, but Pauley said students shouldn't be concerned.
"Based on the information we have, we believe that this is not a random or a stalker-type incident," he said.
Fluharty wouldn't comment on the details of the case but said an emergency meeting was held Thursday evening in the sorority house at 3926 Spruce St. to alert all members of the attack.
"We're all supporting each other, and we're working to get through this," she said, adding that the identity of the alleged victim hasn't been revealed to anyone.
"The confidentiality of this girl is going to be protected at all costs," she said.
The party was attended mainly by Penn students, but friends of attendees were invited as well, Fluharty said.
Chi O is working with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to organize a rape defense workshop and is encouraging sisters to consult the Reach-a-Peer Helpline or Counseling and Psychological Services for counseling.
OFSA officials couldn't be reached for comment.
First-year Education graduate student Julie Zimmerman, who is not a member of Chi Omega, said while the reported attack was unfortunate, it will have no effect on her decision to attend downtown parties.
"It could happen in any rural area or countryside," she said.
College senior Eli Kaplan said that while he isn't aware of such attacks happening at parties he has attended, he not only looks out for his own safety when attending parties, but for the welfare of his friends as well.
"It's always good to keep an eye on the people who I came to the party with," he said.
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