Today, Monday, October 28 at 6:15 a.m., a staff member reported that an unknown male was attempting to open several doors in Bilger Hall.  The staff member confronted the male, and as he was exiting down the stairwell, the suspect exposed his genitals to the victim and began touching himself in a sexual manner.  After the suspect exited the building, DPS made contact. The suspect was arrested by Honolulu Police.

If you have any additional information regarding this incident, please immediately contact UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (808) 956-6911 or Honolulu Police at 911.

Remember: Responsibility is with the perpetrator, not the victim/survivor – no one deserves, asks for or provokes lewd behavior or indecent exposure.  Please continue reading for safety tips and campus resources.

Safety Tips to Consider:

• E makaʻala – Be alert. Practice being aware and alert of your surroundings and remember that we cannot control everything around us. Every situation may be different, but being aware of warning signs can give you a head start.  Avoid distractions such as looking down at your phone while walking.
• E mālama pono – Stay safe. For example, practice encouraging friends to travel in pairs or with trusted companions, especially at night or in remote areas.
• Trust your intuition, if a situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative.
• Download the Mānoa Guardian app and use the Safety Timer feature to notify family, friends, or DPS staff if you are walking alone or in an unfamiliar place on campus. The safety timer acts as a virtual security escort and allows the user to set a timer for their walk across campus, send status updates, and get help instantly if needed.
• If you feel that you or others are in danger, or to report suspicious, illegal, or unusual activity on campus, call DPS at (808) 956-6911 or HPD at 911. You can also contact DPS through the Mānoa Guardian app or by using a blue light Emergency Call Box on campus.

Reporting Options & Resources

Resources listed below are available to sexual assault survivors regardless of whether or not they decide to report the incident to police.  Any of the resources listed below can assist you in reporting the incident to police or to any other agency or UH office listed, upon request.  For a full list of UH Mānoa resources, please visit: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/dps/resources/

• Advocacy Services: Contact the Mānoa Advocate at (808) 956-9499 for advocacy services, crisis counseling and support, risk assessment, safety planning, Title IX support, and referral services.  Advocates can assist you and explain the various options and resources available and are trained to assist victims and survivors with the emotional and physical impacts of a sexual assault.
• Counseling Services:  For students, please contact the Counseling & Student Development Center at (808) 956-7927 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)  Residents in student housing can also contact Counselor-in-Residence after hours through your Resident Assistant, the RA on-call, or the Resident Director.  For employees who need counseling services, please speak with your Human Resources representative, who can provide information on the Employee Assistance Program.
• Law Enforcement/Public Safety assistance: You can report the incident to the UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (808) 956-6911.  DPS is available 24 hours a day and is available to you whether you live on or off campus.  You can also report to Honolulu Police Department (HPD) at 911.