Fraternity where UC Berkeley student was sexually assaulted halts operations

BERKELEY — A fraternity house where a UC Berkeley student was sexually assaulted last weekend has ceased operations.

Sigma Phi Epsilon national spokeswoman Heather Kirk said the shut down of the fraternity came Monday, a day after the student reported she was attacked by two people at a fraternity house in the 2700 block of Channing Way.

City police are investigating but have not identified any suspects.

“While SigEp’s headquarters staff and volunteers work with the chapter to investigate the situation, the chapter has ceased operations,” Kirk said in a statement. “SigEp takes any allegation of sexual violence seriously. We consistently seek to enhance prevention measures and commend these members for the care and concern they showed this survivor.”

According to city police, the attack happened between midnight and 1 a.m. at a “social gathering” at the house. After the attack, members of the fraternity got her help, Kirk said.

“Members of the risk management team immediately took her to a hospital,” Kirk said. “And the chapter referred the issue to the university and the authorities for thorough investigation.”

Campus police confirmed the victim was a student at the university. City police asked anyone with information on the sexual assault to contact 510-981-5900.