Suspect sought in attempted sexual assault of University of Delaware student

NEWARK, Del. (WPVI) -- University of Delaware police are investigating after a female student reported an attempted sexual assault on campus.

The alleged assault occurred between midnight and 1 a.m. Thursday near Smyth Residence Hall.

Police said the victim reported the incident to campus officials later in the day.

The student told police she was walking from her dorm to get something to eat when an unknown man grabbed her from behind, pushed her to the ground and attempted to remove her pants. She kicked him in the groin and was able to get away.

She described the suspect as 6 feet tall with an average build, wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt.

The suspect is currently at large leaving some students unnerved on Friday night.

"It's pretty scary, you try to stay away from that kind of stuff when you're out in the dark by yourself," said Taylor Austin.

"It's petrifying, I wouldn't know what to do. Like last night, I was like, 'Oh, we'll have to take an Uber anywhere we go,' " said Aryana Alborz. "It's just scary knowing things like that happen all the time."

The university said it has 600 Blue Light Phones across its campus to contact police in addition to 400 surveillance cameras.

Police have been sifting through footage hoping to retrieve images of the assailant.

The school also urges students to use to the Live Safe app, a free public safety tool.

"With the app, it's like having a Blue Light Phone in your pocket and you can also have a friend track your walk when you're going from point A to point B," said Chief Patrick Ogden with campus police.

"I personally don't use it, but I have pepper spray and we brought it out with us last night, and my dad does martial arts," said Amanda Pung.

Pung added, like many students' parents on campus, her dad has been giving her advice on how to stay safe.

Action News has also been informed the school has a walking escort service, free of charge, so students don't have to walk alone on campus.

Anyone with information is asked to contact campus police at 302-831-2224 or call 911.