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Fraternity house suspended as 2 students allege sex assaults

Published  April 20, 2018 10:24pm EDT
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF/AP) - A Temple University fraternity house where two teenage students said they were sexually assaulted has been suspended, and police are investigating.

A 19-year-old student reported she was assaulted at Alpha Epsilon Pi's fraternity house in February by one of the fraternity's members, police Capt. Mark Burgmann said on Friday. That case has been sent to the Philadelphia district attorney's office to review for possible charges.

Another 19-year-old student told police she attended a party at the frat in March and was given several drinks. She said she became dizzy, lost consciousness and woke up later in bed with a fraternity member. She said she felt she'd been sexually assaulted.

Both students came forward this month.

A third student approached Temple University police recently with similar allegations, but Philadelphia police have not interviewed her.

A spokesman for Alpha Epsilon Pi International Fraternity said the fraternity was "very concerned about these allegations" and was fully cooperating with authorities.

"Alpha Epsilon Pi is a fraternity based in Jewish values, and anyone associated with such alleged behavior has no place in our fraternity and will be removed immediately," spokesman Jonathan Pierce said.

Temple announced on Friday the chapter had been suspended over the allegations, which also include possible drug use and underage drinking.

On Sunday, the Temple chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi posted on Instagram it was appalled by the accusations, adding the behavior alleged by the accusers is "against everything that we stand for."

As this investigation is ongoing, Temple strongly encourages students with information or needing support regarding any concerns of sexual misconduct to contact Temple Police (215-204-1234, police@temple.edu), the Dean of Students Office (215-204-7188, dos@temple.edu) or the Wellness Resource Center (215-204-8436, tuheart@temple.edu). Any member of the Temple community or the general public also can report anonymously online.