A GSU student who reported to the GSU police department that she had been raped on Oct. 31 has made a formal retraction of her original story, according to information released yesterday.
A press release stated that the University Police "have developed evidence that the act may have been consensual," and "the victim recanted her original story" during an interview with the police.
In the initial incident report from GSU police, the victim stated that on the morning of Oct. 31 she went into the bathroom on the second floor of an Olympic Boulevard address and a male came in behind her and raped her. She stated that she then called someone to come and get her, the report said.
Sgt. William Black talked with the victim when the alleged crime was reported on Nov. 2, 72 hours after the incident allegedly occurred, and a counselor from the center was called, the report said.
According to the Department of Public Safety's web site and the FBI, fewer than 2 percent of reported rapes are false, which is the same percentage for the false reporting of other crimes. Charges can range from falsely reporting a crime, which is a misdemeanor, to making false statements to an officer, which is a felony, Sgt. Black, of GSU police, said.
The case has since been turned over to the Ogeechee Circuit District Attorney for review and possible prosecution, according to the press release. Additionally, the case will be turned over to campus judicial authorities, the release said.
Originally published in The George-Anne, Georgia Southern University's student newspaper, November 10, 1999.