Student Fights Off Assailant

A female undergraduate was assaulted on Wednesday night while walking on Bow Street near Adams House, and she reported to police that she defended herself by kneeing the suspect in the groin and attempting to punch him before fleeing the scene.

According to a community advisory released yesterday by the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD), the victim reported that she was walking by Adams House at approximately 9 p.m. when the suspect attempted to engage her in conversation. After she ignored him and continued walking, the suspect assaulted her, pushing her to the ground.

She then proceeded to defend herself and, according to HUPD spokesman Steven G. Catalano, escaped without physical injury. Catalano said that victims sometimes do fight back in cases of assault.

“Occasionally, a victim will fight back; it really depends on the individual and the situation,” he said. “In the past, some victims have fought back and defended themselves.”

According to the advisory, the victim described the suspect as a black male, 30-35 years of age, 5’8” to 5’11” tall, and weighing around 160 pounds. She also described him as having very short hair, an emaciated facial structure, very thin arms, and clad in a black puffy jacket and dark jeans.

The Cambridge Police Department is investigating the incident because it did not take place on University property.

According to Catalano, other than several unrelated incidences, there have been few crimes reported in recent memory in the area near Adams House.

“I’m not aware of more than an isolated incident being reported in the last five years in that area of campus,” he said.

Catalano said students should always notify the proper authorities if they witness or are involved in a similar incident.

“We want to alert people that this incident did occur,” said Catalano, “and we’re also encouraging the community to call us or the Cambridge Police Department if they encounter this person.”

—Staff writer Reed B. Rayman can be reached at rrayman@fas.harvard.edu.