PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A University of Portland student who says she was raped in her dorm room wants the school to change how it investigates sexual assaults.
Clara Ell told KOIN 6 News she knew the student who attacked her earlier this year.
Ell said she filed a complaint with the university and faced her accused attacker while going through the hearing process.
But the school committee that deals with sexual assault cases did not determine she had been raped. The case was appealed within the university, but Ell lost.
“They said I was not showing signs of incapacitation,” Ell said. “So according to our policy, even though I was clearly intoxicated, but since I could open a door and walk 10 yards to a side door, I was capable of decision making.”
Now more than 1,000 people have signed a petition for change.
“My biggest concern is just the treatment of victims,” Ell said. “I think we have a little bit of a culture of victim blaming… within at least how my case was handled, so I want there to be more support for those people and more active prevention and intervention.”
In a statement, Vice President for Student Affairs Rev. John Donato said he understands students may feel that the “conduct process here has failed them.”
“We do not want any situation where someone feels that way, and the university is committed to doing its best to ensure that our policies and procedures go beyond the legal requirements and are implemented with integrity, compassion and fairness for every person,” Rev. Donato continued.
The school also said it has formed a committee to review and strengthen its Title IX program, which protects against sexual discrimination, including sexual violence.
A vigil is planned for Thursday night to draw attention to sexual assaults on campus and push for changes in how cases are reviewed by the university.
Ell said she has filed a police report in her sexual assault case.