Delaney Robinson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

delaney robinson, delaney robino

Delaney Robinson. (Screengrab via WTVD-TV)

A student at the University of North Carolina has come forward to publicly accuse a Tar Heels football player of rape after she says her case was mishandled by the university, police and prosecutors.

Delaney Robinson, a 19-year-old sophomore, says she was raped by junior football player Allen Artis in February 2016, WNCN-TV reports.

“I did everything a rape victim is supposed to do. I reported it. I allowed the rape kit to be taken. I gave a statement. I cooperated with law enforcement and the Title IX office,” Robinson said in a statement. “But six months later, the university has done nothing. I’m taking this public stand not for me but for the other students on campus who are not protected, despite what the university tells us.”

Heavy does not typically name sexual assault victims, but Robinson has identified herself in an effort to bring attention to the case. She filed a report accusing Artis of rape after the incident occurred six months ago. Now, she has taken the step to file a warrant for his arrest on misdemeanor charges herself, which is allowed under state law.

“Robinson requested self-sworn warrants for misdemeanor assault on a female and misdemeanor sexual battery as a result of the Orange County District Attorney’s refusal to prosecute the case despite sufficient physical evidence,” her attorney, Denise W. Branch said in a statement. “For more than six months we have asked the University and the Orange County District Attorney’s office to hold Delaney’s rapist accountable for his actions. At every turn we have been met with discouragement and delay.”

Here’s what you need to know:


1. A Rape Kit Showed Signs of ‘Blunt Force Trauma’ & ‘Bruising Consistent With a Physical Assault,’ Robinson’s Attorney Says

Delaney Robinson says she as raped by Allen Artis at the Ram Village apartments at the University of North Carolina’s Chapel Hill campus, WNCN-TV reports. The alleged sexual assault occurred on Valentine’s Day, February 14, earlier this year, Robinson says.

She said she was drinking underage on the night she says she was attacked, but “did not deserve to be raped.” She was 18 at the time.

Her attorney, Denise Branch, said in a statement the Orange County District Attorney’s Office “has pronounced that ‘unconsciousness is rape, black out drunk is not rape.’ Therefore, because my client did not drink to the point of unconsciousness before she was raped, the Orange County District Attorney has declined to prosecute the case.”

Branch said Robinson’s story is “not unique. She enjoyed a night out with friends. She consumed alcohol and then found herself alone with someone she did not know and was raped.”

The attorney called the case “shocking” because of the “failure of the University and the criminal justice system to protect a victim who reported a crime. Unlike so many others, Delaney reported her rape. She went to the hospital and gave a full report of what had happened. She allowed the hospital to collect all required evidence for a rape kit. The physical exam revealed vaginal injuries consistent with blunt force trauma and bruising consistent with a physical assault.”

This Post was deleted by the Post author. Learn more

The injuries included bruises to her neck, which could be seen in the photo above, which was held up by Branch at a press conference.


2. Robinson Says She Was Humiliated by Investigators, Who Treated Her ‘Like a Suspect’

Delaney Robinson said in her statement that the Department of Public Safety told Artis “not to sweat” the rape allegations.

Robinson said she listened to recorded interviews conducted by public safety officers with Artis.

“Rather than accusing him of anything, the investigators spoke to him with a tone of comradery,” Robinson said. “They provided reassurances to him when he became upset. They even laughed with him when he told them how many girls’ phone numbers he had managed to get on the same night he raped me. They told him, “don’t sweat it, just keep on living your life and playing football.”

She said she was humiliated by investigators and others.

“After I was raped, I went to the hospital and gave an account of what I could remember to the sexual assault nurse,” Robinson said. “Then I was again quizzed by the DPS investigators, who consistently asked humiliating and accusatory questions. What was I wearing? What was I drinking? How much did I drink? How much did I eat that day? Did I lead him on? Have I hooked up with him before? Do I often have one night stands? Did I even say no? What is my sexual history? How many men have I slept with? I was treated like a suspect.”

Robinson said the assault has made her life on campus more difficult.

“It was hard, as it should be, I do have a great support system and I definitely have school to keep me busy,” Robinson said. “And I see him everyday on campus, so it’s definitely affected me. … It’s distracting, it’s hard for me to get my schoolwork done and I’m a busy person and it’s just made it more difficult in general.”

But Robinson says she does not want to leave UNC.

“UNC is my home,” Robinson said. “I chose to go to that school. I want to graduate, it’s where my friends are, it’s by my family and I’m not transferring.”

Robinson, who is on the hip-hop dance team and is a pre-business major, said she has told some of her friends, and has received support from them and her family.

She is from Apex, about 40 minutes away from Chapel Hill.

You can watch the full press conference below:

You can read her full statement below:

When I entered Carolina as a freshman a little over a year ago, I was excited about new experiences, new friends, great faculty and classes. That all changed in February when I was assaulted and raped on campus.

I did not realize that rather than receiving support and concern from the University, I would only be further victimized by the people who should be working to keep us safe.

Yes, I was drinking that night on Valentine’s Day. I’m under age, and I take responsibility for that. But that doesn’t give anyone the right to violate me. I did not deserve to be raped.

My life has changed forever, while the person who assaulted me continues as a student and a football player on this campus.

After I was raped, I went to the hospital and gave an account of what I could remember to the sexual assault nurse. Then I was again quizzed by the DPS investigators, who consistently asked humiliating and accusatory questions. What was I wearing? What was I drinking? How much did I drink? How much did I eat that day? Did I lead him on? Have I hooked up with him before? Do I often have one night stands? Did I even say no? What is my sexual history? How many men have I slept with? I was treated like a suspect.

My humiliation turned to anger when I listened to the recorded interviews of my rapist by DPS. Rather than accusing him of anything, the investigators spoke to him with a tone of comradery. They provided reassurances to him when he became upset. They even laughed with him when he told them how many girls’ phone numbers he had managed to get on the same night he raped me. They told him, “don’t sweat it, just keep on living your life and playing football.”

This man raped me and the police told him not to sweat it. How can this happen? Where’s the protection for students? Why does the University not care that this rapist is free and could possibly harm another student?

And if this happened to me, who else has been hurt and been too scared to come forward? And what other cases are being swept under the rug by the University?
I did everything a rape victim is supposed to do. I reported it. I allowed the rape kit to be taken. I gave a statement. I cooperated with law enforcement and the Title IX office. But six months later the University has done nothing.

I’m taking this public stand not for me, but for the other students on campus who are not protected, despite what the University tells us. I love this University. It’s my home. I plan on graduating. But I expect the University to fulfill its promises to me and to all students.

Her father, Stacey Robinson, also issued a statement, which you can see below:

Stacey Robinson said his daughter was “subjected to an extensive, invasive physical exam, but she never imagined she would then be treated by investigators with suspicion and disrespect. … We have watched with dismay as the UNC Department of Public Safety and the Title IX office spent far more time investigating my daughter rather than her rapist. DPS even went so far as to reassure my daughter’s rapist that there was nothing to worry about, and one investigator participated in an event where he was socializing with the football team.”


3. The Investigation Into the Accusations Remains ‘Open & Active,’ the District Attorney Says

District Attorney Jim Woodall told WTVD-TV the case was “investigated thoroughly.”

Woodall told WRAL-TV the investigation remains “open and active,” and he has not made any decision on whether to file charges against Artis.

“We have been careful and deliberate,” Woodall told the news station.

But Denise Branch, Robinson’s attorney, says she was told on August 2 that charges would not be filed, contrary to Woodall’s statement.

Meanwhile, Delaney Robinson has issued a self-sworn arrest warrant. North Carolina law allows citizens to initiate arrest warrants, according to the Star News:

The N.C. General Statute that makes such arrest warrants possible is 15A-304, which says that judicial officials, which in most cases is the magistrate, may issue an arrest warrant if they are provided ‘with sufficient information, based on oath or affirmation, to make an independent judgment that there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the person to be arrested committed it.’

The law does not allow for citizens to swear warrants for felony offenses, so she has filed warrants for two misdemeanors, assault on a female and sexual battery, her attorney says.

“She decided to take this extraordinary step to hold her attacker accountable for his actions,” the attorney, Branch, said in a statement. “She wants to do all that she can so this student, this man, does not have the opportunity to rape another student.”


4. UNC Overhauled Its Sexual Assault Polices After a Title IX Complaint 5 Years Ago

The rape accusation and claims that the University of North Carolina mishandled the investigation come five years after the school was the target of a Title IX complaint by five women who claimed there was an atmosphere of sexual violence at the college, WRAL-TV reports.

That lawsuit resulted in an overhaul of university polices.

Denise Branch, Robinson’s attorney, says the university violated its own new procedures during its investigation, which was concluded in the summer. A decision in the case has not been made by the university. She said they are contemplating their next steps regarding a possible Title IX complaint against the university.

UNC issued a statement from Joel Curran, vice chancellor for communications and public affairs, on its website Tuesday, after Robinson came forward:

While the University is aware of allegations made today by attorney Denise Branch regarding a student, under federal privacy law we are prohibited from responding to those allegations.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our students and takes all allegations about sexual violence or sexual misconduct extremely seriously.

Chancellor Carol L. Folt and her administration have made addressing these issues our highest priority. Two years ago, the University adopted a revised comprehensive policy on discrimination and harassment, including sexual assault and sexual misconduct, that was developed based on recommendations and broad input from the campus community and outside experts. That policy establishes a rigorous process conducted by well-trained investigators. The University provides compassionate care to all students who need support.

These matters are complex and often involve multiple agencies including law enforcement. While the University always tries to complete an investigation as quickly as possible, our priority is to ensure that the factual investigations are complete and conducted in a fair and thorough manner.

While we understand and appreciate the public interest in today’s allegations, we are unable to comment further at this time.

Branch, Robinson’s attorney, said, ““Delaney feels betrayed by the university she chose,” Branch said. “The very university that promised to protect her and that lauded a new and improved Title IX process that was completely revamped to better protect students.”


5. Artis Is a Junior Football Player & Has Appeared in Both of the Tar Heels’ Games This Year

allen artis, allen artis unc, allen artis north carolina, allen artis rape, allen artis delaney robinson, delaney robinson unc football, allen artis unc football

Allen Artis. (Facebook)

Allen Artis is a backup linebacker for the Tar Heels, and has appeared in both of North Carolina’s games this year, mainly on special teams. He has recorded one tackle.

Last season, Artis played in 12 games, recording five tackles, including in the Tar Heels bowl game against Baylor, according to the UNC website.

He also appeared in 13 games as a freshman, finishing the season with 14 tackles, after enrolling early, in January, to join the team.

Artis is originally from Marietta, Georgia, according to his biography on the Tar Heels website. He graduated from Wheeler High School.

While at Wheeler, Artis was ranked the No. 36 safety in the country by Scout.com, and was one of the top 70 players in the state, according to Rivals.com. He was an all-state player as a junior.

His father, Johnny Artis, played football at Wake Forest University. He is an economics major.