California college president releases unprecedented video after four rapes in three weeks

The president of a California college that has been rocked by four rapes in the first three weeks of term has revealed she is stepping up security on campus after a student backlash.California State University San Marcos president Ellen Neufeldt said the attacks were “deeply personal” to her due to her previous job working around advocacy, education and support for survivors.She made a stunning intervention into the saga after a female student set up a petition demanding more security and support for victims.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story Girls on campus were terrified this week after a report emerged showing four women had been raped at the college since the beginning of term.The attacks occurred mainly in campus accommodation and officials believed they were perpetrated by people who already knew their victims.Neufeldt said in the video: “[I] wanted to come to you personally this morning to address the recent reports around sexual assault on our university campus.”She says campus police, housing staff, Title IX staff “and so many more” are ready to help and are already in action.Neufeldt said what she finds most disheartening is that “most of these cases happen in a place or space where the person is known to the victim,” whether occurring in a private space or at a social event.She continued: “And I want to speak directly to the survivors out there — if these notices have caused trauma, I can completely understand that and I want you to know there’s resources for you.“If you have experienced sexual assault, harassment, recently or in the past, there’s a place for you to go whether you want a listening ear, whether you want a report — whatever it is that’s right for you, we’re here for you.”She ensured parents and community...