A sexual assault incident was reported in a residence hall at Saint Mary’s on Friday at 11 p.m., according to an email titled, “Timely Warning Notification,” sent by director of campus safety Phil Bambenek on Sunday morning.
The College’s Title IX Office and the St. Joseph County Police Department are currently investigating the report, Bambenek wrote.
He added that the suspect is not a member of the tri-campus community.
“The survivor of the assault reported that she had met the suspect through a dating app,” Bambenek wrote.
The email included a list of contact information for safety and support, including law enforcement agencies, hotlines and on-campus resources for students.
Bambenek shared that students should reach out to the Belles Against Violence Office or Saint Mary’s Campus Safety Department with questions and concerns. Bambenek advised those with information regarding the incident to contact the St. Joseph County Police Special Victims Unit.
This was the first alert of its kind that Saint Mary’s students received this academic year. During the 2024-25 academic year, students did not receive any email alerts of reported sexual assault.
