Woman Admits Reported Assault Did Not Occur, Duke Police Say

A woman who said she was sexually assaulted last week near Duke Hospital has admitted that her report is untrue, Duke Police said.

An investigation by the Duke University Police Department turned up several inconsistencies in the woman's account of what she said happened on March 6, said Aaron Graves, Duke's associate vice president for safety and security. After further questioning, the woman acknowledged to police that she had not been at or near Duke on the day when the incident was supposed to have occurred, Graves said.

Graves said no decision has been reached yet regarding whether charges would be filed against the 21-year-old woman. The woman is not a Duke student or employee.

"Sexual assault is a very serious matter, and I hope this unfortunate incident will not deter anyone who is a victim of such a crime from reporting what happened and seeking assistance," Graves said.