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False Sexual Assault Reports Impact Real Victims

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)- According to a Razalert sent to students Wednesday (March 11), a sexual assault case reported Monday (March 9) to University of Arkansas Po...

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)- According to a Razalert sent to students Wednesday (March 11), a sexual assault case reported Monday (March 9) to University of Arkansas Police is false.

In a follow-up interview, the student recanted her previous statements and admitted there was no attack, according to police.

UAPD called it an unfortunate occurrence and stated they are in contact with the Student Affairs Office and the Washington County Prosecutor's Office to decide on appropriate course of action regarding the false report.

The student reported that she was sexually assaulted Thursday (Feb. 26) at the Harmon Avenue parking garage, according to police.

The student told police the assault happened around 6:30 p.m. after a man approached the student at the parking garage and asked for help jump starting his car, then asked for help getting home to his sick dog, according to police. The student said the man grabbed her arm with one hand and put the other underneath her clothes before she got away and into her vehicle, the report states. The student also gave police a description of the suspect.

Anne Shelley with the Northwest Arkansas Women's Rape Crisis Center said falsely reporting sexual assaults impacts actual victims.

“What that does is create a climate where people who have been sexually assaulted can become even more afraid of coming forward,” Shelley said.

Another University of Arkansas student was arrested in April 2014 after police said she too filed a false report that she was sexually assaulted at the Garland Avenue parking garage on campus.

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