H 23°, L 4° | Tomorrow: 
H 21°, L 6°
After a University of Wisconsin student was assaulted while jogging alone Sunday, police have released a sketch of the suspect and are encouraging people to run in pairs if they want to exercise after dark.
A 21-year-old female was sexually assaulted in front of Madison East High School by a white male 35-40 years old, 5 feet 10 inches and 170 pounds.
Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the victim had been running westbound on the north side of East Washington Avenue in front of East High School.
According to the police report, the victim was grabbed from behind by the perpetrator, who pushed her to the ground on the grass in front of the school and touched her inappropriately.
The woman escaped uninjured, ran home and notified the authorities.
DeSpain said she did the right thing by quickly alerting the police. The victim was also able to offer enough details on the suspect to generate a sketch.
DeSpain added it is important for students to be aware of the risks involved with running alone outside after dark. He added students should, ideally, exercise outside during daylight, or at least have someone accompany them if it is after dark.
But many students choose to continue running outside after dark, bringing about safety risks. If students do choose to work out outside after dark, DeSpain said it is important students remain aware of their surroundings.
DeSpain said students who choose to exercise outside when it is dark should stay on well-traveled, well-lit areas like University Avenue.
In regards to the recent attack, DeSpain said police “have not seen anything that resembles this in recent past,” and the incident seems like an isolated event.
UW provides alternatives for students who do not feel comfortable exercising outside after dark, including the Shell, SERF, Natatorium and Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
IP hash: a8fa0cdc
The MPD drawings are always hilariously vague.
IP hash: 1797ce17
What time was she assaulted?!
IP hash: 4089035a
DeSpain added it is important for students to be aware of the risks involved with running alone outside after dark. He added students should, ideally, exercise outside during daylight, or at least have someone accompany them if it is after dark.
Go fuck yourself, Joel.
IP hash: 5538d0d8
So what Joel DeSpain is really saying is don’t exercise, it is winter, and gets dark before you are likely done with class. God this MPD is a classy group of professionals huh?
IP hash: 012974c4
the police need to hire a new sketch artist..this person sucks.
IP hash: 1d1af3bc
Don’t be an idiot and run on the EAST SIDE! common sense people! I have friends with an apartment over there and I feel unsafe walking the two blocks from the bus stop to their place in broad daylight, much less jogging at night alone over there. Some people are just asking for trouble.
IP hash: d20747fb
“But many students choose to continue running outside after dark, bringing about safety risks.”
So what, it’s their own goddamn fault? Is that the message here?
IP hash: dca92f96
God, people will take every possible chance to talk shit about the MPD (not saying they don’t usually deserve it…)
No one is saying it’s the victim’s fault for getting assaulted, but every jogger should operate on the common sense principle that you don’t run in a city at night, much less on the east side. You can feel empowered all you want, or put as much faith in the MPD as you want, but there are still creeps out there lurking and waiting for a young college student to run by. Thank God it wasn’t more serious than inappropriate touching, though I’m sure the experience is scarring enough.
Come on fellow joggers, join me at 7am on the bike trail along John Nolen Drive. It’s light, scenic, and you’re out in the open.
IP hash: 431db898
It’s not right to be assaulted! In any way!
IP hash: ab8621b8
East Washington is a fairly busy street. Don’t act like she was being stupid and running in a dark alleyway.
IP hash: 394d767d
paige helling is a literary genius…and that’s all there is to it