Campbell Attack Shatters 'Sense of Security' on Campus

The 21-year-old victim was walking from an off-campus apartment to a dorm when she was attacked from behind. The attacker forced the woman to the ground, covered her mouth and raped her.

"I'm pretty scared about it," says Campbell freshman Jamie House. "I'm more careful now, and I don't walk alone at night anymore like I used to. It's pretty scary."

"We are doing a lot more buddy system stuff, especially females," says Campbell sophomore Amber Perrell. "We're all taking care of each other and watching out for each other."

University officials say a national crime report rated Campbell University as one of the safest in the country. The campus has emergency call boxes, lights and a 24 hour security staff that includes six contracted sheriff's deputies.

"It really has taken away a lot of the sense of security from the campus," says Campbell sophomore Katy Ledford. "But I think everybody is being a lot more cautious about what time they are getting in at night and locking room doors."

Students say resident counselors were notified immediately after the attack; they in turn warned students.

"I have walked around on campus at night and felt fine, but I think now that I will make sure that I am not alone or someone knows where I'm at," says Campbell sophomore Beth Bolles.

Authorities say the girl did not get a good look at her attacker, and so far they do not have a composite.

The Campus Security Act of 1990 requires schools that take part in federal student aid programs to make crime statistics available.

TheCampus Safety Web sitehas put together statistics and links to hundreds of schools nationwide.