University of North Carolina student says she was raped by football player
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student is alleging she was sexually assaulted by a member of the football team in February.
In a news conference on Tuesday, sophomore Delaney Robinson said UNC junior linebacker Allen Artis raped her on Valentine’s Day in an on-campus apartment. She also criticized the school's response to her allegations, which she first reported several months ago.
Artis had not been charged or disciplined until Tuesday, when the team suspended him indefinitely.
“My life has changed forever,” Robinson, 19, said in a statement, “while the person who assaulted me continues as a student and a football player on this campus.”
Robinson said that she reported the incident to the school's Department of Public Safety and also went to the hospital, where she took a rape kit exam. She claims the player was never held accountable by the school or campus police.
Robinson's legal team said that UNC's Title IX office has not yet given its decision on the case, even though the investigation concluded three months ago.
In a statement posted to its website, the university said it could not respond to specific allegations due to federal law.
"The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our students and takes all allegations about sexual violence or sexual misconduct extremely seriously," a portion of the statement reads.
Robinson admitted she consumed alcohol that evening, but said in a statement, “that doesn’t give anyone the right to violate me. I did not deserve to be raped.”
She also claimed an audio recording of the UNC Department of Public Safety interviewing the alleged rapist revealed that they told him, "don't sweat it, just keep on living your life and playing football."
Robinson's father also released a statement expressing his "dismay" at the university's handling of her case.
"UNC parents should know that their children are vulnerable and at risk," Stacey Robinson said. "We are standing up today to demand better treatment from the university."
Robinson is also attempting to issue self–sworn warrants, a North Carolina statute that allows citizens to initiate criminal charges, for Artis on misdemeanor assault on a female and misdemeanor sexual battery charges. A judicial official could then issue a warrant if there is "cause to believe a crime has been committed."
