Philadelphia police investigating rape at Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia police are investigating a reported rape at Chestnut Hill College.

A 21-year old female student at the private, Catholic institution told officers on Sunday, Dec. 4 that a male student forced her onto a bed and raped her following a brief conversation inside her room around 2:30 a.m.

The victim said she told the offender, an acquaintance, to stop several times. He allegedly became more aggressive in response, but did leave after a few minutes.

Capt. John Darby with the city’s Special Victims Unit said officers have recovered evidence, but have not formally interviewed the victim.

“We go at the pace of the victim,” said Darby. “This is not a public safety issue at this stage.”

Officials with Chestnut Hill College issued a campus-wide security alert following the incident and are working with police in their investigation.

“The safety of all of our students is an essential consideration for the College,” reads a school statement. “Chestnut Hill College does not tolerate sex offenses, whether forcible or non-forcible, upon its campus. Sex offenses are not only a violation of the law and reprehensible in any context, but are also a matter of particular concern in any academic community of students, faculty, and staff.”