The Blue Banner

Media Credit: Beckie Harmon

A female student has told The Blue Banner that an unidentified man slipped her a date-rape drug during the homecoming dance on Feb. 23 at the Orange Peel.

The freshman student, who asked to remain anonymous, ingested Rohypnol, an anti-insomnia drug commonly known as a roofie. The student tested positive for the drug the next morning.

The student said an unidentified male slipped her the date-rape drug in a beer he bought her at the Orange Peel bar. The student is under 21.

"It was terrifying," said the woman, an Asheville native. "The last thing I remember was dancing with the guy, and after 1:30 (a.m.) I don't remember anything."

The student says she felt very drunk after just few sips of beer. She said the individual responsible for drugging her is someone she knows, but has no recollection of who it might be.

Scott Hawley, a friend of the freshman student, provided her with a description of the alleged culprit.

He is 5 feet 7 inches tall and stocky with a chin strap beard and short blond hair, the student said.

Hawley ensured the freshman student's safety through the night. He recognized her erratic behavior, distanced her from the alleged perpetrator and helped her return safely to her dorm room.

"My grandmother wants to shake (Scott's) hand," the anonymous student said. "I couldn't find my dorm because I couldn't remember where I lived. I kept on passing out so he had to carry me back to my dorm room in South Ridge after looking at my ID to find out where it was."

Hawley does not attend UNC Asheville and could not be reached for comment.

The student said she wants to put the instance behind her and let her experience stand as a lesson for other women.

"There is just that one chance in a million that some guy will look at you the wrong way and get some idea in his head," she said. "You hear about the stories in the media, but this kind of stuff just doesn't happen at UNCA."

Since 2003, there is only one reported forcible or non-forcible sexual offense, according to campus police.

Hannah Pinkerton, freshman, was with the anonymous student on homecoming night.

"I feel very safe here and I'm sure I can speak for others in saying this," Pinkerton said. "However, feeling safe can often let us put our guards down and I think it is important for UNCA students to use caution at all times."

Western Carolina University has 14 total reported forcible or non-forcible sexual offenses since 2004. Warren Wilson has eight reported offenses since 2003.

The recent murders of UNC Chapel Hill Student Body President Eve Carson and 18-year-old Auburn student Lauren Burk, as well as the upsurge in campus shootings led to renewed attention to campus safety nationwide, according to campus security officials.

"I don't think the students (at UNCA) have a high level of threat on campus," said Campus Police Detective Sgt. B.J. Bayne.

Bayne, in her fifth month as investigations sergeant, said students should always take precautions to ensure their safety.

"It's important to be aware of everything that is going on around you," Bayne said. "Do not let yourself get overly intoxicated. You need to carry a certain level of responsibility when going out and having a good time."

Our VOICE, Inc., formerly the Rape Crisis Center, is a non-profit crisis intervention agency serving all victims of sexual violence in Buncombe County, according to its Web site.

"Women's safety is definitely an issue, even if it is not so prevalent on our campus," said Interim Women's Studies Director, Alice Weldon. "But if one student has had a problem, then we have a problem here and we need to be looking at it more closely."

According to the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, one rape happens every three hours and 52 minutes in North Carolina.

Reported rape cases in Buncombe County totaled 68 in 2006. Asheville accounted for most of the cases, with 47 reported in 2006

If anyone is victim to a sexual assault, they are encouraged to contact Our VOICE, Inc. and utilize the services offered.

Article Tools