News
Teen College Girls Hypnotized, Assaulted In University Library
Published: Oct 06, 2003 - 08:24 PM
CHICAGO -- Northwestern University police have increased patrols around the school library after several students reported being hypnotized and, in one instance, sexually assaulted.
The Daily Northwestern newspaper reported that a female student told police that on July 22 a man at the library asked if she would assist him with a research project. When she agreed, the man hypnotized her. He then "spoke to and touched the victim in an inappropriate manner," according to a community crime alert, the paper said.
The Daily Northwestern newspaper reported that a female student told police that on July 22 a man at the library asked if she would assist him with a research project. When she agreed, the man hypnotized her. He then "spoke to and touched the victim in an inappropriate manner," according to a community crime alert, the paper said.
Police said they knew of a couple of similar incidents prior to the reported summer incident, but police assistant chief Danile McAleer said that the events might not be related.
Sarah Bush, a junior at the university who wrote about her experience in a guest column for the Daily Northwestern, said that a man she encountered at the library last winter asked her to participate in a psychology study in which he tried some "relaxation techniques" on her. According to the published report, Bush awoke from what she later realized was a hypnotic state when she realized that the man was asking her to lie down on the floor.
Bush sent a mass e-mail warning to friends and associates, in addition to reporting the incident to University Police and writing the column for the school's paper.
"It's so outlandish and you feel kind of foolish," the paper quoted Bush as saying, adding that she thought others may have had similar encounters with the alleged hypnotist, but felt too embarrassed to report them.
"It seems like this has happened enough that this is not a one-time thing."
McAleer urged students to report any such incidents or any other information to University Police at (847) 491-3254. He also warned students to be cautious.
"If you don't feel comfortable, trust your instincts," he said. "Don't follow someone in a secluded area."
Sarah Bush, a junior at the university who wrote about her experience in a guest column for the Daily Northwestern, said that a man she encountered at the library last winter asked her to participate in a psychology study in which he tried some "relaxation techniques" on her. According to the published report, Bush awoke from what she later realized was a hypnotic state when she realized that the man was asking her to lie down on the floor.
Bush sent a mass e-mail warning to friends and associates, in addition to reporting the incident to University Police and writing the column for the school's paper.
"It's so outlandish and you feel kind of foolish," the paper quoted Bush as saying, adding that she thought others may have had similar encounters with the alleged hypnotist, but felt too embarrassed to report them.
"It seems like this has happened enough that this is not a one-time thing."
McAleer urged students to report any such incidents or any other information to University Police at (847) 491-3254. He also warned students to be cautious.
"If you don't feel comfortable, trust your instincts," he said. "Don't follow someone in a secluded area."
