Notre Dame Criticized Again Over Sex Assault Claim
UPDATED 02/17/11 7:57 a.m.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (CBS/WBBM) -- Just months after the suicide of a suburban student who said she was sexually attacked at Notre Dame University, another family now claims the school delayed another sexual assault allegation.
Both cases happened last September. In the case now making headlines, a student from St. Mary's College says she was raped by a Notre Dame student at a residence hall.
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The young woman immediately went to the hospital and filed a police report, but campus police did not interview her until 11 days later.
The woman's father, himself a Notre Dame alumnus, complained to the university president and spoke to campus police to plead for action before they contacted the woman, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The case is similar to that of Elizabeth "Lizzy" Seeberg, 19, of Northbrook, who killed herself nine days after her alleged attack.
Seeberg died of a suspected drug overdose Sept. 10. St. Joseph County, Ind., Prosecutor Michael Dvorak Dvorak said Seeberg accused a student-athlete of touching her breasts on Aug. 31. He didn't reveal the name of the athlete.
Tom and Mary Seeberg, of Northbrook, have criticized Notre Dame's handling of their daughter's death, telling the Chicago Tribune the school's investigation was superficial.
In December, Notre Dame president the Rev. John I. Jenkins defended the university, saying the investigation was handled with integrity.
Campus police conducted a "thorough and judicious investigation that followed the facts where they led," the Rev. John I. Jenkins told the South Bend Tribune for a December story. Dvorak said in December that no criminal charges would be pursued.
In a statement to the paper on the latest revelations, Notre Dame said "sexual misconduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated." The university also defended the professionalism of its police department.
The cases are also complicated by the fact that alcohol was a factor.
The U.S. Department of Education is now investigating how Notre Dame handles sexual assault complaints.
