Calvin Student Assaulted
The Calvin College community offers its prayers this week for comfort for a student who was the victim of an August 2 sexual assault at an off-campus apartment complex (owned by Calvin Theological Seminary). Calvin also offers its prayers of support for her family and friends.
Says Calvin vice president for student life Shirley Hoogstra: "We sorrow with the victim as she recovers from this tragic incident. This sort of thing happens so infrequently that when it does it has a powerful impact on our community. We hope that we can be of some assistance to our student, and her friends and family, as she moves forward with her life. We are commited to doing whatever needs to be done as we support our students. We pray that God's comfort, peace and healing will be felt by this student."
Calvin has an on-campus Response Team for Sexual Assault which is available to any student who needs its services. Hoogstra says that team will be available to the student.
Grand Rapids police say the assault took place in the 28-hundred block of Englewood Avenue when the suspect broke into the woman's home through a basement window while she was sleeping. The 21-year-old was threatened with a gun and sexually assaulted before she finally managed to escape when the suspect tried to take her to an ATM. Authorities are describing the suspect as a five-foot-ten male with a stocky build. He was wearing a light green shirt with dark blue pants and a Tommy Hilfiger stocking hat. The suspect was last seen at around 4:15 am, pushing a bike on Englewood Avenue towards 28th Street. Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call Grand Rapids Police or Silent Observer.