Sexual Assaults Rise at Metro Stops
Students Advised to be Cautious
Asst. News Editor Rebecca Fulton

Since September 2007, there have been no less than eight incidents of sexual assault outside of orange line metro stations. Police do not believe that all of the assaults were committed by the same person because of varying victim descriptions of the perpetrator. 

Because of the recent assaults, Arlington police have been advised to pay special attention to metro line areas according to a previous interview with Arlington Detective Robert Icolari. George Mason University’s Sexual Assault Services have created fliers and advice for students, faculty and staff who use the orange line of the metro on a regular basis. 

“Our office is located on all three campuses, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington,” Sexual Assault Services Outreach Specialist Kathleen Gless said. “We have a website that provides safety measures, definitions of sexual assault and other forms of assault, and a list of local resources for survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking.” 

The website for Mason’s Sexual Assault Services can be found here. The website also gives a full listing of Sexual Assault Services within the Northern Virginia area, providing physical addresses along with office and hotline telephone numbers for each. 

Mason’s Sexual Assault Services is also providing a 24/7 emergency cell phone number that should be used for victims of sexual assault; however, victims are advised to call 911 if their safety is still at risk. 

Pedestrians are urged by Sexual Assault Services fliers to travel in pairs and call the Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121 if they experience suspicious behavior.  There are emergency phones located on platforms in stations. There are emergency intercoms located at both ends of a rail car. 

The Arlington campus has also recently established an escort. “The Univ[ersity] Life, SAS and the police offices have recently established an Escort Service at the Arlington campus similar to the one at the Fairfax campus. The police are able to escort you to your car anytime of the morning, day or night. However, they are not allowed to escort persons to the metro,” Gless said. The George Mason Arlington police and their Escort Service can be reached at 703-993-8070. 

According to their website Sexual Assault Services Mission is to provide service to “survivors, and to their families, significant others, and friends at no cost.  We are here for anyone who has been a victim of sexual violence…We are dedicated to helping create a world in which our services are no longer needed.” 

There are many simple precautions that can be taken while using the Metrorail system.  Sexual Assault Services advises that no on walk alone at night, if there is no other option walk in a lighted area and at a steady pace while looking confident.  Also, listen for footsteps, if footsteps are heard turn around and is if there is a follower.  If there is quickly cross the street and go to the nearest area where there are other people.