The Red and Black

Just to make things clear her, I am NOT blaming the victims. That being said however, I'm still amazed at the fact that anyone would get into a vehicle with a total stranger,e specially when in an inebriated state and late at night. That is a setup for problems. Who knows how many young women this man has actually taken in that way? WHERE he has taken them might be some kind of clue though, given the fact that he's apparently familiar with that area. Did either of these women get a look at the tag on the vehicle?

Um, no one has ever accused drunk sorority girls of making smart decisions. The average college student downtown has no common sense. This girl was underage, drunk, and stupid. And she didnt even report the rape until she was pretty much forced to, which left this guy out to assault another girl.
Anyone who thinks that Athens and UGA are crime free and safe at night are wrong. Stupid drunk people make easy victims for any crime.

Get off your high horse, CD and Jessica. Drunk, stupid sorority girl?...do you feel better now for getting that off your chest? Let's not point fingers at individuals and start making any accusations. Whether drunk or not, the van could have been easily mistaken for any other cab. Also, are you honestly ignorant enough to think it would be that easy to come forward after being sexually assalted? Get a clue.

The real issue here is why the ACC Police waited so long to report the incident.

Kaitlin, I don't really think that the time frame of reporting the incident is an "issue." There are numerous things that come into play when making a decision about releasing information of that nature. Is the victim cooperative? Is the victim telling the truth? Is it an isolated incident? Is there evidence that the perpetrator is local? Will public disclosure prompt some sort of unfounded panic? Will drunken boys downtown, determined to prove their prowess, assault any male that they think "fits" the description of the perp? I do think that the police did the right thing by finally releasing the information, but I understand the *brief* delay.

What do you mean by the police waited to report the incident. The did a press release the day after the report was filed like they always do. Why would you get into a van with no taxi markings? The police have no duty to release ANY information to anyone during an open criminal investigation by the way. Under GA law rape victims are totally protected fro mhaving their identity expossed to ANYONE EVER.
As a former police officer in this town I have investigated many sexual assaults near campus and downtown. Almost all of the stranger on stranger assaults were of undergae UGA students who were walking at night, alone, and very intoxicated. This shows the stupidity of people who are supposed to be in school at the states flagship university.
She was the victim of a crime but it never would have happened had she not been underage, drunk, and unaware of her surroundings. I mean what idiot would get into a VAN with some random guy at 2 in the morning and then sit in the back not doing anything while he drive 20 miles into another county???? IF YOUR A FEMALE IN ATHENS, DONT GO ANYWHERE ALONE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THERE ARE BAD PEOPLE WHO WISH TO DO YOU HARM OUT EVERY NIGHT.

This really scares me. The description of this guy pretty much fits 90% of the population. Though we may be quick to judge the victims, we must remember that this guy said, if I'm correct, that he was a taxi driver. I just urge everyone to be careful and remember that on Thursdays and Fridays, you can call watchdawgs. On the other hand, always keep 5 or 6 bucks in case you do have to call a cab. Be safe everyone!