Rape Lawsuit Accuses College of Negligence
A woman who reportedly was raped while spending the night in a Chapman University dormitory has filed a lawsuit against the university, alleging negligence because officials failed to provide adequate security on campus.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Orange County Superior Court, states that the woman was spending the night in a friend’s dormitory room when she was awakened by her attackers at 5:30 a.m. on May 24, 1992.
One man stood outside the door “acting as a ‘lookout’ ” while the other man entered the room, locked the door and raped her, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also claims that numerous crimes had been committed on campus and in the neighborhood, and that the university knew or should have known that the buildings, hallways and other common areas “constituted a dangerous condition and invited criminal activity.”
The university “should have known that the premises in question were located in a neighborhood commonly known for significant violent crimes,” according to the lawsuit.
Officials failed to provide adequate door and window locks, lighting, guards “and overall reasonable security to provide the students and their guests with a reasonably safe environment,” the petition also alleges.
Chapman University officials were unavailable for comment late Wednesday.
The plaintiff, who was identified only as “Jane Doe,” is asking for at least $1 million in damages, plus recovery of medical costs and legal fees.
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