Two sexual assaults reported after parties near EWU

Two women reported they were sexually assaulted at parties near the Eastern Washington University campus over the weekend.

One incident happened Friday evening at a residence on Washington Court in Cheney. The other happened Saturday evening at an unknown address on Sixth Street.

The university learned of the incidents and notified the campus police department, Deputy Chief Gary Gasseling said. Neither woman has named a suspect or pursued an investigation, he said. Both are EWU students.

Gasseling said students are often reluctant to report sexual assaults because they’re in the same classes, dormitories or social circles as their attackers.

EWU police have arrested two men on indecent liberties charges in connection with other cases this year.

Last year, the department received “a huge number” of reports about sexual violence, Gasseling said. Two men were arrested on suspicion of second-degree rape in separate cases.