Allen Artis. (University of North Carolina)
A student at the University of North Carolina has accused a Tar Heels football player of rape, and is speaking out publicly about the “ineffective investigation” by the college and its police department.
Delaney Robinson, a sophomore, said she was raped by Allen Artis, a junior football player, in February 2016, WTVD-TV reports.
Artis has not been charged after Robinson went to the police and university officials.
“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.”
Artis and university officials have not commented. It is not clear if he has an attorney.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Prosecutor ‘Unconsciousness Is Rape, Black Out Drunk Is Not Rape,’ Says Delaney Robinson’s Attorney
Statement from Robinson’s attorney, Denise W. Branch.
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.”
Delaney Robinson. (Screengrab via WTVD-TV)
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.”
2. Artis Was Told ‘Not to Sweat’ the Allegation, Robinson Says, While She Was Humiliated by Investigators
Statement from Delaney Robinson, who claims a UNC football player sexually assaulted her on Feb. 14
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.”
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:
And a statement from Delaney Robinson’s father, Stacey Robinson.
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 District Attorney Says the Allegations Were ‘Investigated Thoroughly’
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, Denise 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.”
Branch also told the news station says the university violated Title IX regulations in its investigation.
4. Artis Is a Backup Linebacker & Has Played in Both of the Tar Heels’ Games This Year
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.
5. He Is Originally From Georgia & Was Ranked Among the Top Defensive Backs in the Country in High School
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.
