AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) – The Auburn University community is being alerted to a report of an attack and fondling near the intersection of Miller Avenue and South College Street on Sunday morning.

According to the victim’s account, she was walking towards Auburn’s campus from Gay Street when an unidentified male assailant pushed her to the ground, proceeded to get on top of her and forcibly touched her buttocks.

A passerby intervened, disrupting the assault and the assailant ran in the direction of Miller Avenue.

The incident occurred at 8:05 a.m. on Sunday and was reported to Campus Safety & Security by Auburn Police.

As of now, law enforcement authorities have not identified a suspect.

The individual is described as a slender-built Black male with shoulder-length dreads, standing at around 6 feet tall. He was reported to be wearing a yellow shirt and dark pants at the time of the incident.

Police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

WRBL is checking with Auburn Police to see if this incident is related to two separate attacks on women along Samford Avenue on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, where the assailant was hiding in a bush and jumping out to attack the women.

While it is never the responsibility of a victim or survivor to prevent an assault, there are steps that individuals can take to enhance their safety:

• Stay alert to your surroundings and walk with friends when possible.
• Utilize available safety services, such as the Security Shuttle for door-to-door transportation on campus from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. or the Lyft Late Night Smart Ride Program.
• If you witness suspicious activity or a person behaving suspiciously, notify the police at 911 (for emergencies or crimes in progress), 334-501-3100 (for non-emergencies), or 334-246-1391 (tip line for calls or texts).

For those who have experienced sexual assault, there are important steps to consider:

• Preserve evidence by refraining from showering or changing clothing.
• Dial 911 for emergency assistance or seek immediate medical care at the nearest hospital to request a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam, commonly referred to as a “rape kit.”
• Rape kits can be collected at designated locations in Auburn, including East Alabama Medical Center Freestanding Emergency Department and the AU Medical Clinic.