Video Captures Sexual Assault Near U.C. Irvine Campus; Police Searching for Suspect

Video Captures Sexual Assault Near U.C. Irvine Campus; Police Searching for Suspect

Jun 14, 2023

UPDATE: Police have arrested Brandon Dybdahl, 23, at a Laguna Hills residence on June 14 in connection with the sexual assault. According to the Irvine Police Department, the white sedan seen in the surveillance video was also found at the residence where Dybdahl was arrested.

Irvine police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a sexual assault suspect captured on video committing battery against a woman near the UC Irvine campus. The sexual assault happened Saturday morning, and police released a video of the incident which occurred near the area of Scholarship and Graduate in Irvine.

Police Searching for Man Caught on Video Sexually Assaulting Woman Near U.C. Irvine

• College Campus Sexual Assault Statistics
• California AB-2777 Opens 3-Year Window for Adult Sexual Assault Claims
• Filing a Sexual Assault Civil Claim: What to Know

ABC 7 reported that the suspect – a man believed to be in his early 20s – followed the victim before restraining and groping her from behind.

“Investigators say the woman was doing exercise laps in a nearby parking lot. The video shows the woman making a turn and the moment she does, the suspect turns as well,” ABC 7 said.

Irvine police released the following description of the sexual assault suspect:

• A white male
• Reddish/brown hair
• 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall
• Approximately 160 pounds
• Possibly in his early 20s
• Last seen wearing a gray short sleeve t-shirt with black shorts and black flip flop sandals

The Los Angeles Times reported that a spokesperson for the Irvine Police Department noted that the victim was wearing a head covering resembling those worn by some Muslim women. “We don’t have any indication” that it played a role, however, Karie Davis of the Irvine PD said.

While the investigation is ongoing, Davis indicated it was “not going there with hate crime right now.” She also stressed that although the crime occurred in the vicinity of the UC Irvine campus, it “has nothing to do with UCI,” the Los Angeles Times reported.

“I’m confident someone’s gonna come forward at some point” to identify him, Davies added, noting that the video clearly captures the suspect’s face.

Following a brief altercation, the suspect fled the scene in a four-door white 2006-2012 Nissan Sentra with a spoiler, according to police.

Police are urging anyone with information that may help in identifying the UC Irvine sexual assault suspect to contact Detective Mahmood at 949-724-7244 or via email at mmahmood@cityofirvine.org.

College Campus Sexual Assault Statistics

Campus sexual assault impacts countless students every year. Although statistics indicate the prevalence of college sexual assaults, many survivors choose not to come forward and report incidents. Due to underreporting, published statistics might actually represent a significant undercount in terms of how frequently sexual violence in college actually occurs.

As Dordulian Law Group’s partner organization RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) notes:

• Only 20% of female student victims age 18-24 report to law enforcement
• Only 32% of non-student females the same age do make a report

Additionally, the following campus sexual assault statistics have been confirmed:

• 13% of all college students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation (among all graduate and undergraduate students).
• Among graduate and professional students, 9.7% of females and 2.5% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.
• Among undergraduate students, 26.4% of females and 6.8% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.
• 5.8% of students have experienced stalking since entering college.

How a survivor chooses to proceed after a college campus sexual violence incident is a very personal decision. While criminal charges may be filed against a sexual perpetrator, civil claims are also an option for California victims.

California AB-2777 Opens 3-Year Window for Adult Sexual Assault Claims

California AB-2777 or the Sexual Abuse And Cover-Up Accountability Act was passed in 2022 and currently provides a three-year window for any adult survivor of sexual assault to file a civil lawsuit and potentially recover financial compensation.

Between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2026, any claim seeking to recover damages suffered as a result of a sexual assault or other inappropriate conduct, communication, or activity of a sexual nature may now be filed under AB-2777.

Additionally, AB-2777 revives claims involving cover-ups for a one-year window – from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. For a claim to qualify under the cover-up section of the bill, the survivor would have to allege all of the following:

• The plaintiff was sexually assaulted or was subjected to other inappropriate conduct, communication, or activity of a sexual nature.
• One or more entities are legally responsible for damages arising out of the sexual assault or other inappropriate conduct, communication, or activity of a sexual nature.
• The entity or entities, including, but not limited to, their officers, directors, representatives, employees, or agents, engaged in a cover up or attempted a cover up of a previous instance or allegations of sexual assault or other inappropriate conduct, communication, or activity of a sexual nature by an alleged perpetrator of such abuse.

To speak with a campus sexual assault attorney regarding your case, contact Dordulian Law Group (DLG) today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM for a free and confidential consultation.

Filing a Sexual Assault Civil Claim: What to Know

Sexual assault civil lawsuits are typically filed in an effort to recover applicable damages for survivors, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Counseling or therapy expenses
• Medical care costs
• Prescription drug costs
• Punitive damages

DLG is one of the nation’s leading and top-rated sexual assault and abuse firms dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of survivors. Our team of sexual assault lawyers is led by Sam Dordulian, a former sex crimes prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with more than 25 years of experience and over 100 jury trial victories.

If you experienced a sexual assault incident, don’t wait to file a claim. Contact our expert attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

When you choose DLG to handle your sexual assault claim, there are never any upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses. We don’t collect any fee for our expert legal services until after we’ve successfully secured maximum financial compensation for you.

Contact us today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM to take the first step toward securing the justice you deserve following a sexual assault.