Shock and fear is being felt over a string of rapes that have occurred in Texas. The victims of the attacks are being targeted because they are members of a Black sorority.
Reports indicate that the victims in the bizarre case are older women who are members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. The Greek letter organization is one of four international historically Black sororities.
The four victims, who range from age to mid-50s to mid-60s, are alumni of the sorority who live in the Dallas area. The attacks took place between the hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m., according to local police. The suspect is also believed to be stalking his victims.
Police say that a possible motive may be some form of payback for something that happened involving the sorority or that the suspect may have a strange obsession with the organization. The women were all home alone when they were attacked.
In response to the sexual assaults, officials at the sorority’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., are advising members in the Dallas area to remove sorority paraphernalia from their vehicles, key chains, homes and offices. They are also encouraging members to refrain from wearing clothing or accessories that identify them as members.
“Since receiving news of these incidents, our primary concern has been the safety of our members,” said Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, national president of Delta Sigma Theta. “While it is not yet confirmed that these victims were targeted because of their affiliation with the sorority, we are erring on the side of caution and are advising our members in the Dallas area to take the necessary precautionary measures. We encourage members to be alert, remain aware of their surroundings and call the police if they see anything suspicious or feel threatened.”