Victim Zone: UC Student Punched, Robbed On Campus

Cincinnati's WCPO.com is reporting that a University of Cincinnati student says she was grabbed, punched, and robbed while leaving class Tuesday night. According to the news story, the incident is the latest in several violent crime reports from on and around campus. The student spoke with 9News, but said she did not want to give her name or show her face, fearing for her own safety.

From the story:

She says she had just left a night class at Teacher's College around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday night when someone grabbed her from behind, only about 20 feet from the campus building.

The suspect allegedly put her arms around the woman's throat, held "something that felt like a gun" to her back, ripped the woman's jeans, punched her in the face and finally took off with her bookbag and cell phone.

The woman says she tracked down a nearby police officer, but it was too late to catch the suspect.

He's described as a white male who was wearing blue nylon sweatpants with white stripes.

The victim is shaken up and recovering at home, with some advice for other students.

"When you're walking to class, stay on the main paths in well lit areas. It's also a good idea to have a buddy with you. It's something I could have done to prevent this situation," she told 9News.

She says she's unsure if she'll continue classes at UC after the assault.

Last month a student was shot on Warner Street when he apparently tried to fend off a robber. That student is now recovering at home.

Why does the state of Ohio refuse to recognize the needs of college students to protect themselves? Why is the life of an 21-year-old college student on a campus like UC's any less valuable and in need of protection than when she is off-campus? Why are 18-year-olds any less trusted with firearms on college campuses than they are when serving in our armed forces?