BRUNSWICK, Maine — A Bowdoin College student was taken to Mid Coast Hospital early Wednesday morning after she was allegedly sexually assaulted at the college’s Mayflower Apartments on Belmont Street.
Brunswick police and emergency medical workers went to the housing complex, fewer than two blocks from the college campus, just after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and remained at the scene until nearly 4 a.m. Wednesday, according to police records.
The alleged victim was examined, treated and released from Mid Coast Hospital, college spokesman Doug Cook said Thursday.
The woman reported that a stranger entered her apartment through an unlocked exterior door and sexually assaulted her, Brunswick Police Cmdr. Mark Waltz said Thursday. Waltz said he had no further information because the investigation is in its early stages.
As required by federal law, Bowdoin’s security chief alerted students and college employees of the incident in an email sent at noon Wednesday and sent a subsequent email at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
In the emails, Nichols asked students to “remain alert and vigilant and to take reasonable precautions” to protect themselves, including ensuring doors and windows are locked. He also outlined support services available to all students.
Bowdoin security and staff from the student affairs office met Wednesday evening with residents of the complex, and Cook said Bowdoin security will increase patrols around the campus, as well as provide more frequent shuttles for students. Bowdoin Student Government already subsidizes free taxi rides during the evening for students, he said.
Cook said an assessment of lighting and security of the buildings on and off campus would take place Thursday.
Residents of the apartment complex have been offered housing on the campus if they want to move, he said.
“As always, we continue to advise Brunswick residents and visitors to take basic steps to avoid victimization,” Brunswick police Cmdr. Marc Hagan said in an email sent Thursday afternoon. “Residents should always lock their doors and first-floor windows. Persons who find themselves in a position where they need to walk outside at night should always walk in pairs. We have increased our patrols in the greater Bowdoin College community for the time being as well, in hopes of calming any fears that residents, students or visitors may have.”