Wichita State Student Arrested for Rape, Second On-Campus Incident This Month
A 19-year-old freshman faces rape charges, prompting renewed statements from the university on sexual assault protocols.
Wichita State University is responding to a second arrest for rape on its campus this month, with a 19-year-old freshman, James Vandenberg, now charged with the crime. Vandenberg was taken into custody on Saturday at an on-campus dormitory. His booking photo from the Sedgwick County Jail showed him smiling. He was held on a $100,000 bond before bonding out.
Details regarding the specific allegations in Vandenberg's case have not been immediately released. The incident follows the earlier arrest this month of Aaron Christian, also a Wichita State student, who faces charges of aggravated domestic battery and rape.
Following Christian's arrest, a university spokesperson stated that Wichita State "takes all reports of sexual assault seriously." The statement, provided by Director of Communication Lainie Mazzullo-Hart, emphasized the school's commitment to adherence to all applicable laws, investigative procedures, and student support processes. "Sexual violence has no place in any campus community," the statement read. Wichita State, which enrolls more than 18,000 students, did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
