Riara University has launched an internal review after a video showing several young women allegedly threatening, bullying and assaulting another woman in an off-campus incident went viral online.
In a statement, the university said some of the individuals captured in the footage were reportedly its students. The institution said it was treating the matter seriously despite the alleged incident taking place outside its campus.
The video, which has circulated widely on social media, appears to show several women confronting another woman inside what looks like a public bathroom. The group is seen threatening and physically assaulting the woman, with the footage drawing attention online.
Riara University condemned the alleged conduct, saying violence, intimidation, bullying, harassment and other forms of misconduct were contrary to its institutional values.
The university said its expectations of student conduct extend to behaviour that could undermine the institution's values, even when incidents occur away from its premises.
“Riara University unequivocally condemns violence, intimidation, bullying, harassment or misconduct in any form,” the institution said in the statement issued by the Vice Chancellor.
The university leadership has since initiated an internal review of the incident in accordance with its Student Code of Conduct and other institutional policies.
According to the university, the review will seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any of the students identified in the video violated the institution's rules.
Riara University also said it was prepared to cooperate with investigative authorities handling the matter.
The statement comes amid growing concern over the circulation of videos showing incidents of bullying and assault involving young people. Such footage can quickly spread across social media, prompting calls for accountability even before investigations into the circumstances are completed.
The university did not disclose the identities of the students allegedly involved in the incident or indicate whether disciplinary action had already been taken against them.
It also did not provide details on the identity or condition of the woman who was allegedly assaulted.
Riara University reiterated its commitment to maintaining what it described as a safe, respectful and responsible academic community.
The institution said the internal review would be conducted in line with its established student disciplinary procedures as authorities work to establish the facts surrounding the incident.