A female student was able to escape from an alleged sexual assault Wednesday night after the man grabbed her from behind on the Diag, according to the Department of Public Safety.
The man approached the student at 10:20 p.m., outside the Dana Natural Resources Building, and attempted to remove part of her clothing.
A brief struggle followed and the student managed to escape.
DPS spokesperson Beth Hall said the suspect has not been apprehended.
Hall said anyone with information about the incident should should call DPS at 763-1131.
DPS reports the suspect is a 25 to 30-year-old-male, about 5 feet, 8 inches, with a pot belly and possible whisker stubble.
He was wearing a white baseball cap and a red T-shirt.
The suspect faces felony charges for attempting criminal sexual conduct in the first degree.
Hall said students should always make safety a priority and try to follow DPS safety advice, which can be accessed at www.umich.edu/~safety.
DPS says students should walk with a friend whenever possible, trust their intuition and be aware that risk increases in secluded areas.
"If you feel threatened on campus, look for a blue light emergency phone or dial 911 on any phone," Hall said.
Virginia Chitanda, director of the University's Sexual Awareness and Prevention Center, said assaults by unknown assailants are not the most common types of sexual assault.
In 82 percent of sexual assaults, the assailant knows the victim beforehand, she said.
"But it's still important for people to do what they can to take care of themselves.
"These types of incidents are very traumatic for the victims," Chitanda said.
Beginning Sept. 23, Safewalk and Northwalk will be available for students who do not want to walk home alone at night.
The services provide walks home to students living within a 20-minute walk from the Harlan Hatcher Undergraduate Library or Bursley Residence Hall on North Campus.
09-11-98
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