Woman sexually assaulted in Harvard Yard

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WHDH) -- Police said a woman was raped in Harvard Yard early Friday morning.

Police said around 3:15 a.m. the victim, who is not a Harvard student, was grabbed just as she walked through Johnston Gate, near Harvard Square. The victim was pulled behind Massachusetts Hall and sexually assaulted.

“I just come out and I hear about this sexual assault thing and I was like, ‘What?’ I don’t know, it was crazy,” said Noor Farhat, a Harvard student.

Students on campus are stunned that something like that could happen right outside their door.

“Cambridge is a nice area, especially between Harvard and MIT, I usually feel pretty safe,” said Labutza Currie, a student.

Harvard University alerted students through email and text message, and have already increased patrols by both uniformed and plain-clothed officers.

Others are still planning to take matters into their own hands by ensuring they are not alone late at night.

Police said the woman described her attacker as a dark-haired, "very tanned" man in his mid-20s, with a medium build, and wearing a white shirt.

No arrests have been made.