The University of Lethbridge says they didn’t inform the student body about a sexual assault right away because there was no immediate danger. (CBC)

The University of Lethbridge says they didn’t inform the student body about a sexual assault right away because there was no immediate danger.

A woman was sexually assaulted early Sunday morning while sleeping in her room, which is in an apartment-style residence with six bedrooms attached to the living space.

Staff at the residence were informed the next day and were told to inform the students of the assault.

Terri Thomas, manager of housing, says since a suspect was quickly arrested, the rest of the students didn't need to know about the assault right after it happened.

“Based on this particular incident and when the individual was identified and apprehended it was not deemed an immediate threat to the community,” Thomas said.

But not everyone agrees.

Jennifer Prosser at Womanspace Resource Centre, which is off the campus, says the students should have been informed immediately after the incident, rather than being sent a letter two days later, on Tuesday.

“If this ever were to happen in the future, students, staff and faculty members would be aware of it quickly and we would have the information and the safety alert issued quite quickly,” Prosser says adding if students have the information, they can take better precautions.

The U of L will host an open counselling session for students in residence along with three community groups which will hold an open forum on sexual assault Thursday at the university.