An anonymous post on Fizz about an alleged assault in Phelps causes panic among students.
By Kira Rich
Staff Writer
Within hours, uneasiness flooded the campus. Screenshots were shared amongst group chats, parents were called, and dorm doors were double locked, all before anyone had the chance to fact-check the information.
It all started with a vague yet concerning post on the anonymous social media platform Fizz warning students about an alleged sexual assault attempt in Phelps Hall.
The supposed assailant, described online as “a tall, dark-skinned individual with dreads, oval-shaped eyes, and eye bags,” became the focus of widespread suspicion and anxiety.
Many students began sharing warnings by boosting Fizz posts or reposting screenshots on their stories, but as campus police began their investigation, the story quickly began to unravel.
According to WUPD Chief of Police Charles Yearta, officers responded to Phelps Hall on Oct. 29 after obtaining a report of someone allegedly entering students’ rooms to assault them. “During that time, available security camera footage was reviewed and interviews conducted with Residence Life staff and the students who reported it to their parents,” Yearta said in an email to students.
It soon became clear, however, that the reports had spread entirely through social media and “thirdhand narratives.” Officers conducted a floor-by-floor search of Phelps Hall and interviewed residents, but found no suspect or eyewitnesses.
After numerous interviews and evidence reviews, Yearta confirmed that “no credible information or evidence has been discovered and that it appears the reported incident did not occur.”
Freshman Amanda Albano explained the frustration she felt when the accusations were proven false.
“I do feel really disappointed if this was simply just a made-up incident that someone made because sexual violence is really not a joke, it’s something that should be taken seriously,” said Albano.
The conclusion of the investigation left the campus in a state of mixed emotions. Students were relieved that no assault took place, but also frustrated at how easily fear and misinformation turned into chaos. False reports like this, while rare, can have serious consequences.
They can warp the lives of those falsely accused, create distrust among students and make it even harder for true survivors of sexual assault to come forward.
The idea of not being believed or dismissed typically already looms over victims. However, the actuality of it happening increases tremendously when people make false accusations.
Students remain confused about the motive of the original poster. The lack of specificity in the given description made it difficult to narrow down the focus to a single individual. Some students believe that the accusations could have been made purely out of racist intent.
Sexual assault remains one of the most underreported crimes on college campuses. Survivors already face social stigma, self-doubt, and fear of not being believed. When false reports dominate headlines, they risk overshadowing the very real issue of sexual violence that students face every day.
Sophomore Tanishiana Brunson hopes that this incident doesn’t discourage future victims from sharing their stories.
“Now some people might not want to talk about it because they’ll be scared that no one will believe them, and that’s very sad,” said Brunson.
With the majority of the students ranging from ages 18 to 22, attending social events on and off-campus, or sharing living spaces, students often face unfamiliar environments and shifting boundaries.
On college campuses, 13% of all students experience rape or sexual assault, with rates even higher for undergraduate women (26.4%) and students with nonconforming social identities (21%).
As students, we have a responsibility to take safety concerns into our own hands. However, it is still very important to pause and carefully assess before sharing information. As a community, we should look out for one another and ensure we fact-check information to avoid creating collective panic. Nowadays, the media plays a huge part in how we communicate with one another, and it has proven to be more impactful than word of mouth. What is posted online carries just as much weight as the words spoken to one another. Universities are obligated to respond quickly and effectively to avoid panic.
In the end, this incident should be a leading example of the dangers of spreading misinformation. What is spread in the name of safety should be completely transparent to maintain the strength of trust we have in each other.
