An NIU student reported she was raped Monday morning in Neptune Hall, according to University Police.

The UPs have a suspect in the alleged sexual assault and have initiated an investigation, said Kathy Guimond of the University Police. Guimond refused to name the suspect.

The NIU Sexual Assault Response Team has been activated for the investigation, Guimond said. A warrant has not been issued because the individual is only a suspect, Guimond said.

Many elements involved in the investigation need to be proven before there can be an arrest, Guimond said. In any sexual assault investigation, police first must determine if the alleged crime occurred, she said.

It could be “two weeks” or more before anything substantial in the case is discovered, Guimond said. Sometimes a case comes together quickly, but other times only “half of the elements fall into place,” she said.

The response team is a branch of the Sexual Assault Task Force and is used to inform victims of possible routes they might pursue when an assault occurs, said Blanche McHugh, former president of the response team at the University Health Service.

The response team consists of four departments: the health center, the UPs, the judicial department and a counseling program.

A sexual assault victim might use only one branch of the response team, which is why the police might be unaware of a sexual assault. Police involvement also is limited because victims often do not sign a complaint against the assailant.

McHugh said the health center branch of the response team does not “force students to do anything.” The choice to take action after an assault is up to the student.