Deputies Search for Sexual Assault Suspects

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Surveillance images show two men, Richland County Deputies say, assaulted a 20 year old woman after offering her a ride home. “Probably in this case, she was very trusting, she was in Five Points, she was in an area that she felt comfortable in,” says Captain Chris Cowan of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Cowan says the victim told them the men gave her water on the way home. “In that there was some sort of a date rape drug,” says Cowan “That date rape drug basically took away her ability to fight,” says Cowan Once home, Cowan says, both men assaulted the woman. “When you think about what happened, the trauma that goes through that emotionally, physically and mentally with being sexually assaulted and then being sexually assaulted again,” says Cowan Director of Sexual Trauma Services, Jenny Waller says 20% of reported cases are drug facilitated assaults and only 40% of all sexual assault cases are reported. “Society tends to hold sexual assault to a different light and because of that , it makes survivors feel they will not be embraced and rather judged and persecuted themselves,” says Waller In this most recent case, deputies say, the victim did report it and was checked out by a doctor. Now, they are looking for those responsible. If you are a victim of sexual assault and you need help call the Hotline at 771-7274.