Winthrop students react to news of on-campus sexual assault

When the daily student announcement was emailed to Winthrop University students on Friday, some initially thought it was about Halloween or homecoming.

It turned out to be about an on-campus sexual assault.

Students were surprised and shocked to learn a Winthrop student was sexually assaulted on campus Friday morning as she walked to Margaret Nance residence hall.

Campus police say John Tyrone Roddey Jr., 24, of Catawba, has been arrested and charged with criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping.

Police say Roddey did not know the victim prior to the alleged assault.

“We were surprised about it,” said Candice Condrey, 19, a Winthrop sophomore. “We thought about going out, but when we got that email, we said, ‘Thank goodness we didn’t.’ ”

“It was really scary,” said Brittney Britt, 18, a Winthrop freshman. “It could have been one of us.”

“We’ve learned not to go anywhere without each other,” said Savana Debutts, 18, a freshman. “Never go by yourself.”

Acting Winthrop President Debra Boyd’s email about the incident ensured students of their safety.

Dana Moore, 21, a junior said the reaction from the Winthrop campus police reassured her. “I thought it was good that campus police was able to get the situation under control.”

Students said earlier this week they were informed about sexual assault by an ensemble of actors.

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at Winthrop University invited Speak About It, a performance-based presentation about consent and relationships, to perform on Wednesday evening.

Speak About It uses an hour-long performance with skits, monologues and interactive dialogue to address sexual assault, as well as consent and bystander intervention.

Shana Natelson, executive director of Speak About It, said that it is a “rarity” for someone to sexually assault a stranger.

“We believe that people are good, yet we understand that there are bad apples out there,” Natelson said.

This story was originally published October 31, 2014 at 9:02 PM with the headline "Winthrop students react to news of on-campus sexual assault."