The University of Virginia's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity was targeted for vandalism overnight Thursday following a Rolling Stone article's revelation an alleged gang rape took place at the house two years earlier.
The Rolling Stone article, published Wednesday, detailed alleged failures in the university's culture and policy on sexual violence, specifically around Greek life. Late on Wednesday, the university announced it was asking local law enforcement to investigate the alleged gang rape involving seven men, a full year and a half after it was first reported to the institution.
The vandals wrote "Suspend Us!" and "UVA Center For Rape Studies" on Phi Kappa Psi's property:
PHOTO: @HenryGraff reports: more from other side of frat house described in @RollingStone article. pic.twitter.com/vTHxzpPwvG
— NBC29 (@NBC29) November 20, 2014
JUST IN: @HenryGraff reports frat house described in @RollingStone article has been vandalized. pic.twitter.com/29ZOGLMFYv
— NBC29 (@NBC29) November 20, 2014
The fraternity house also had broken windows:
PHOTO: @HenryGraff reports: more vandalism at frat house from @RollingStone article. pic.twitter.com/IctxnynrcC
— NBC29 (@NBC29) November 20, 2014
According to a news release from Charlottesville police, the fraternity notified cops around 2:45 a.m. on Thursday to the vandalism. The windows were broken by bottles and chunks of cinder blocks.
In a statement from the UVa chapter of Phi Kappa Psi, the fraternity said they alerted their alumni and local law enforcement days after the assault was brought to light in September 2014. The fraternity voluntarily decided to suspend itself while the fraternity and criminal investigation is underway:
PhiKappaPsi frat. has a more serious tone than @UVA administrators re the rape allegations in the @RollingStone art.: pic.twitter.com/Cmxraw9IN1
— BARIN KAYAOĞLU (@barinkayaoglu) November 20, 2014
Graffitti was also spotted elsewhere on campus:
Graffiti on the Lawn as well: pic.twitter.com/VjU6HAhU6n
— Cavalier Daily News (@CavDailyNews) November 20, 2014
Meanwhile, students started organizing on campus to demonstrate in support of sexual assault survivors, gathering at an amphitheater on campus for an event raising awareness of the issue:
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