Florida Atlantic University police didn’t notify students of an alleged sexual assault on campus until three days after the incident because the suspect had been arrested, suspended and banned from campus, officials said. The 19-year-old student accused of but not charged with the Saturday morning assault, Christian Finklea, was an acquaintance of the alleged victim, and FAU police did not think he was a danger to the rest of the campus.

“These actions were taken on Saturday and the subject was advised at that time that he will be taken into custody again if he returns to the university.” Mcgrath Finklea was released on bond Sunday. The alleged sexual assault, which occurred in a residence hall room on the Boca Raton campus, is the first at FAU this year. There were five sexual assaults recorded at FAU in 2006. Two sexual assaults were recorded in 2005. Police issued an alert last

month concerning an alleged sexual assault and abduction from the school’s Jupiter campus, but the report was given to police third hand and an actual victim never came forward.

The federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires schools to provide “timely warnings” of crimes. But the warning is subjective and only triggered when school officials consider a crime to pose an ongoing “threat to students and employees.” Tuesday’s notice from FAU police includes a warning about the role alcohol can play in sexual assaults by lowering inhibitions and “leading individuals to place themselves in potentially dangerous situations.”

*FAU police are asking anyone with information regarding Saturday’s alleged assault to contact them at 561-297-3500 or through the anonymous tip line at 561-297-4636.  Students are advised to be safe and try not to be alone- especially at night. 

Post by Heather