An 18-year-old female student reported that she was sexually assaulted early Friday morning by a college-age male near 40th and Pine streets.
The woman was on her way back from a party around 2:45 a.m.
Investigators have not determined whether the perpetrator is a Penn student, Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said.
The primary suspect is a white male in his 20s, clean shaven with brown hair, according to a source familiar with the investigation. The assailant was identified as someone the alleged victim recognized. The woman had been walking alone, and the man allegedly offered to walk her home.
The reported assault occurred in the alley behind Allegro Pizza.
Passersby later found the woman sitting on the ground bleeding from her chin. She was taken to the emergency room of the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where she was treated and released. Her family is currently taking care of her, Rush said.
In response to the incident, Penn Police have increased security along 40th Street.
"We always have a lot of foot patrol and bicycle patrol," Rush said. "We have just enhanced the patrol by putting more officers in that area."
Though the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit will conduct the investigation, Rush said the University will assist if and when possible.
University officials have refused to release any details regarding the woman's assailant or the attack.
Rush said she encourages students to review safety precautions and use sound judgment while walking alone.
"We have on our Web site all of our safety tips, how to use walking escorts, how to use riding escorts and never to walk alone at night," she said.
The last conviction for a sexual assault on campus came fall semester, when Neurosurgery professor Tracy McIntosh pleaded no contest to charges in December.
