Campus Alert Archive
MIT

Sexual assault reported in a campus crime alert; near detailed information below pertains

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MAsexual assaulttimely warninghigh confidence
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Under Investigation

MIT Police issued a crime alert / timely warning on or about 2018-04-09. Full text is preserved from the official MIT Police Crime Alerts archive.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
0
Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Private R1 · MA
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~12,000 studentsMIT Police Timely Warnings
Official alert policy
Read when and how MIT says it will use MIT Alert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatim3807 chars
Please be advised that detailed information below pertains to a sexual assault that occurred on campus. ***The notification was made to the MIT Police through a third party in compliance of the Federal Clery Act. Notifications made to the MIT Police in this manner often do not contain names, suspect descriptions, and may not have specific dates and times.*** Incident: The MIT Police were notified on April 9, 2018 of a fondling incident that occurred Saturday, April 7, 2018 at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus. The victim/survivor reported he was assaulted by a male, who was a guest at the time of the attack. The suspect is known to the victim/survivor. Sexual Assault Reporting Resources The MIT Police have specially trained men and women officers who investigate sexual assaults. During all interviews, the MIT Police will make every effort to offer female survivors an opportunity to have a female officer present, and male officers for male survivors. In addition, the MIT Police will help a survivor, who wishes to do so, make contact with: - Local police - The district attorney's office for criminal prosecution and legal survivor assistance - Survivor assistance - Anonymous sexual assault reporting: https://police.mit.edu/anonymous-sexual-assault-form For emotional support, assistance in reporting, and/or to learn more about your available options, contact Violence Prevention & Response (VPR), MIT's primary, confidential, on-campus resource for issues pertaining to sexual assault, stalking, sexual harassment and domestic/dating violence. VPR can be reached at any time on their 24/7 hotline: (617) 253-2300. For non-urgent situations, you can also reach them at VPRadvocate@mit.edu. Risk reduction/Safety precautions: - Sexual assault is any sexual activity that occurs in the absence of consent. If you engage in sex, be sure you understand your partner's limits, and communicate your own limits. Do not engage in sexual activities without affirmative consent from your partner(s). - Rape and sexual assault are never the fault of the survivor. Responsibility lies with the perpetrator. No one deserves, asks for, or provokes sexual assault. - The most common type of sexual assault occurs between individuals known to one another. Sexual assault occurs in all communities and people of all genders can be survivors. - See Something Say Something to Someone: o If you do not feel comfortable intervening in any situation, notify someone who can (party host, GRT/GRA, Dean-on-Call, etc). o Program your cell phone with the MIT Police emergency number (617-253-1212). Call this number if you become uncomfortable in any situation. We are ready to respond to your calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Additional considerations for your safety: - Be aware of your surroundings. - Trust your intuition - if a particular makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative. Sexual Assault Programs and Procedures MIT is committed to educating the campus community in ways to prevent sexual assault. Throughout the academic year and during orientation, the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness at MIT Medical, the Office of the Dean for Student Life, the MIT Police, and certain student organizations deliver educational programs to parents, students, employees, and other members of the community. These sessions provide information on preventing sexual assault and rape, supporting friends who are survivors of sexual assault, security programs, residence hall and Institute-wide regulations and behavior standards, and an outline of the resources available to members of the MIT community. Issued by ANDREW J. TURCO Crime Prevention Sergeant MIT Police Department 301 Vassar Street (W89) 617-253-1212
Verify this quote
MIT Police Crime Alerts & Timely Warningspolice.mit.edufind archived copies
Transcribed from official police.mit.edu crime-alert page structured fields (Incident, Suspect, Summary, Suggestions, Issued by).
Page recovered live from MIT Police Crime Alerts archive.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude Opus 5 (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

Please be advised that detailed information below pertains to a sexual assault that occurred on campus. ***The notification was made to the MIT Police through a third party in compliance of the Federal Clery Act. Notifications made to the MIT Police in this manner often do not contain names, suspect descriptions, and may not have specific dates and times.*** Incident: The MIT Police were notified on April 9, 2018 of a fondling incident that occurred Saturday, April 7, 2018 at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus. The victim/survivor reported he was assaulted by a male, who was a guest at the time of the attack. The suspect is known to the victim/survivor. Sexual Assault Reporting Resources The MIT Police have specially trained men and women officers who investigate sexual assaults. During all interviews, the MIT Police will make every effort to offer female survivors an opportunity to have a female officer present, and male officers for male survivors. In addition, the MIT Police will help a survivor, who wishes to do so, make contact with: - Local police - The district attorney's office for criminal prosecution and legal survivor assistance - Survivor assistance - Anonymous sexual assault reporting: https://police.mit.edu/anonymous-sexual-assault-form For emotional support, assistance in reporting, and/or to learn more about your available options, contact Violence Prevention & Response (VPR), MIT's primary, confidential, on-campus resource for issues pertaining to sexual assault, stalking, sexual harassment and domestic/dating violence. VPR can be reached at any time on their 24/7 hotline: (617) 253-2300. For non-urgent situations, you can also reach them at VPRadvocate@mit.edu. Risk reduction/Safety precautions: - Sexual assault is any sexual activity that occurs in the absence of consent. If you engage in sex, be sure you understand your partner's limits, and communicate your own limits. Do not engage in sexual activities without affirmative consent from your partner(s). - Rape and sexual assault are never the fault of the survivor. Responsibility lies with the perpetrator. No one deserves, asks for, or provokes sexual assault. - The most common type of sexual assault occurs between individuals known to one another. Sexual assault occurs in all communities and people of all genders can be survivors. - See Something Say Something to Someone: o If you do not feel comfortable intervening in any situation, notify someone who can (party host, GRT/GRA, Dean-on-Call, etc). o Program your cell phone with the MIT Police emergency number (617-253-1212). Call this number if you become uncomfortable in any situation. We are ready to respond to your calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Additional considerations for your safety: - Be aware of your surroundings. - Trust your intuition - if a particular makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, choose an alternative. Sexual Assault Programs and Procedures MIT is committed to educating the campus community in ways to prevent sexual assault. Throughout the academic year and during orientation, the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness at MIT Medical, the Office of the Dean for Student Life, the MIT Police, and certain student organizations deliver educational programs to parents, students, employees, and other members of the community. These sessions provide information on preventing sexual assault and rape, supporting friends who are survivors of sexual assault, security programs, residence hall and Institute-wide regulations and behavior standards, and an outline of the resources available to members of the MIT community. Issued by ANDREW J. TURCO Crime Prevention Sergeant MIT Police Department 301 Vassar Street (W89) 617-253-1212

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The notice is signed "Issued by ANDREW J. TURCO, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department," and describes reporting made to the MIT Police under Clery.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: The notice is issued by a "Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department" and cites MIT Police throughout.
    2. present: Issued by Sgt. Andrew J. Turco, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department.
    3. present: Issued by "ANDREW J. TURCO, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department", a named authority.
    4. present: The message is issued by a Crime Prevention Sergeant of the MIT Police Department.
    5. present: The notice is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention Sergeant and cites the Clery Act notification process.
    6. present: The notice names the MIT Police as recipient and investigator and is issued by a Crime Prevention Sergeant.
    7. present: Attributed to the MIT Police Department and a named Crime Prevention Sergeant.
    8. present: Issued by "ANDREW J. TURCO, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department".
    9. present: The MIT Police are named as recipients and investigators, and Sgt. Turco signs as Crime Prevention Sergeant.
    10. present: The notice is issued by "ANDREW J. TURCO, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department".
    11. present: The MIT Police Department and Crime Prevention Sergeant Andrew J. Turco are identified as issuing it.
    12. present: The alert is issued by the MIT Police Department crime prevention sergeant, an identified authority.
    13. present: "MIT Police Department" and Sergeant Turco are named as the source of this Clery notification.
    14. present: The notice is issued by "ANDREW J. TURCO, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department".
    15. present: Issued by "ANDREW J. TURCO, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department", a named authority.
    16. present: The notice is issued by "ANDREW J. TURCO, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department".
    17. present: Issued by Crime Prevention Sergeant Andrew J. Turco of the MIT Police Department.
    18. present: The notice is issued by "ANDREW J. TURCO, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department".
    19. present: The note is issued by "ANDREW J. TURCO, Crime Prevention Sergeant, MIT Police Department".
    20. present: The MIT Police are named throughout and the notice is issued by Crime Prevention Sergeant Andrew J. Turco.
    21. present: The MIT Police are named throughout and the notice is issued by their Crime Prevention Sergeant.
    22. present: The message names the "MIT Police Department" and Crime Prevention Sergeant Andrew J. Turco.
    23. present: Signed by the MIT Police crime prevention sergeant and repeatedly attributed to MIT Police.
    24. present: The notice is issued by Crime Prevention Sergeant Andrew J. Turco of the MIT Police Department.
    25. present: The MIT Police are named throughout and Sgt. Turco signs it as issuer.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The alert names the crime plainly: "a fondling incident" reported as "a sexual assault that occurred on campus," by a male guest known to the victim/survivor.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific violent crime.
    2. present: Names "a fondling incident" and sexual assault, a specific threat rather than a vague event.
    3. present: Identifies "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific named offense.
    4. present: It names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific violent crime.
    5. present: It names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific criminal threat.
    6. present: It specifies "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a named crime rather than a vague situation.
    7. present: Names a specific crime: "a fondling incident" and sexual assault by a guest.
    8. present: Names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific reportable crime.
    9. present: It specifies "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a named criminal threat rather than a vague event.
    10. present: It names "a fondling incident" and sexual assault, a specific rather than generic threat.
    11. present: It names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific reportable offense.
    12. present: The named harm is "a fondling incident", a specific sexual assault, not a vague emergency.
    13. present: It names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific offense rather than a generic event.
    14. present: It names a specific crime, "a fondling incident", framed as a sexual assault on campus.
    15. present: States the notice concerns "a fondling incident", a specific sexual assault, not a generic event.
    16. present: It names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific rather than generic threat.
    17. present: It explicitly reports "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a named crime.
    18. present: It names a specific crime, "a fondling incident", framed as sexual assault on campus.
    19. present: It names "a fondling incident" and sexual assault, a specific violent crime.
    20. present: It names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific criminal threat rather than a vague event.
    21. present: It states the report concerns "a fondling incident", a specific sexual assault, not a vague event.
    22. present: It states the hazard as "a fondling incident", a specific sexual assault, not a vague event.
    23. present: Names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific threat.
    24. present: It names "a fondling incident", a specific sexual assault, rather than a vague emergency.
    25. present: It names "a fondling incident" and a sexual assault, a specific threat rather than a vague event.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The scene is given as "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus," general by design but still a stated campus location.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: The place is "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    2. present: Says it happened "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    3. present: Says it occurred "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    4. present: The assault is placed "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus."
    5. present: The assault is placed "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus."
    6. present: It occurred "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus", a located area.
    7. present: Places it at "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    8. present: Says it happened "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    9. present: The setting is "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    10. present: The incident is placed "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    11. present: The assault is placed "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    12. present: It occurred at "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus", a stated area.
    13. present: The place is "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    14. present: The place is "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    15. present: Says it happened "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    16. present: The place is described as "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    17. present: It places the assault "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    18. present: It places the incident at "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    19. present: It happened at "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus", a stated campus location.
    20. present: The assault is placed "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus."
    21. present: The place is given as "an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    22. present: It occurred "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    23. present: Says it occurred "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    24. present: It places the assault "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus".
    25. present: It places the assault "at an On-Campus Residence Hall on the east side of campus."
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. Risk reduction text instructs readers not to "engage in sexual activities without affirmative consent" and to notify someone who can intervene or call 617-253-1212.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Readers are told to program the MIT Police number, call when uncomfortable, and notify someone who can intervene.
    2. present: Tells readers to notify someone who can intervene and to program and call the police number.
    3. present: Tells readers to notify someone if uncomfortable intervening and to program and call the police emergency number.
    4. present: It instructs readers to notify someone or program and call the police number when uncomfortable.
    5. present: It tells readers to intervene or notify someone, program the police number, and be aware of surroundings.
    6. present: Readers get actions: program the police number, tell someone if uncomfortable intervening, be aware of surroundings.
    7. present: Tells readers to program the police number, call when uncomfortable and notify someone if they cannot intervene.
    8. present: Gives readers actions: program the police number, call it, and notify someone who can intervene.
    9. present: It advises programming the police number, calling when uncomfortable, and notifying someone who can intervene.
    10. present: Readers are told to notify someone if uncomfortable intervening and to program the police number in their phone.
    11. present: Recipients are told to intervene or notify someone and to program and call the police number.
    12. present: It advises notifying someone who can intervene and programming the police emergency number to call.
    13. present: It tells readers to notify someone if uncomfortable intervening and to program the police number and call.
    14. present: It directs readers to notify someone if uncomfortable intervening and to program and call the police number.
    15. present: Tells readers to program the police number, notify someone if uncomfortable intervening, and seek consent.
    16. present: Readers are told to notify someone if uncomfortable intervening and to program the police number into their phone.
    17. present: Readers are told to notify someone if uncomfortable intervening and to program the police number and call it.
    18. present: It advises readers to intervene or alert someone, program the police number, and call when uncomfortable.
    19. present: It advises readers to notify someone who can intervene and to program the police emergency number for calls.
    20. present: Readers are told to notify someone if they cannot intervene and to program and call the police number.
    21. present: Readers are urged to intervene or notify someone, to call MIT Police, and to secure affirmative consent.
    22. present: It urges readers to notify someone who can intervene and to program and call the police number.
    23. present: Urges readers to be aware of surroundings, program the police number, and tell someone who can intervene.
    24. present: It tells readers to notify someone if uncomfortable intervening and to program the police number in their phone.
    25. present: It tells readers to seek affirmative consent, notify someone who can intervene, and program the police number.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. Two dates are supplied: police "were notified on April 9, 2018" of an incident "that occurred Saturday, April 7, 2018."

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Dates are precise: notified "April 9, 2018" about an assault on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    2. present: Notes notification on April 9, 2018 for an incident on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    3. present: Gives notification on "April 9, 2018" of an incident on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    4. present: Both the notification date "April 9, 2018" and the incident date "Saturday, April 7, 2018" are given.
    5. present: Dates are given: police notified April 9, 2018 about an incident of Saturday, April 7, 2018.
    6. present: It gives notification on "April 9, 2018" of an incident on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    7. present: Gives notification on "April 9, 2018" of an assault on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    8. present: Dates both the report, April 9, 2018, and the incident, Saturday, April 7, 2018.
    9. present: Dates are given: notification "on April 9, 2018" of an assault on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    10. present: Two dates are given: notified "April 9, 2018" about an incident on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    11. present: Dates are given: notified "April 9, 2018" of an incident on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    12. present: Dates anchor it: notified "April 9, 2018" about an assault on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    13. present: Dates are given: notification "on April 9, 2018" of an assault "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    14. present: Dates are explicit: notified "April 9, 2018" about an incident on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    15. present: Reports notification "on April 9, 2018" of an assault on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    16. present: Two dates anchor it: notification "on April 9, 2018" of an assault on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    17. present: Dates are given: notification on April 9, 2018 for an assault on Saturday, April 7, 2018.
    18. present: Both the notification date, April 9, 2018, and the incident date, April 7, 2018, are given.
    19. present: Both the report date, April 9, 2018, and the incident date, Saturday April 7, 2018, are given.
    20. present: Dates are given: notification "on April 9, 2018" of an incident "Saturday, April 7, 2018."
    21. present: Two dates appear: notification on April 9, 2018 and the assault on Saturday, April 7, 2018.
    22. present: Dates are precise: reported April 9, 2018 about an assault on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    23. present: Gives notification on "April 9, 2018" of an incident on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    24. present: Dates are given: notified April 9, 2018 about an assault on "Saturday, April 7, 2018".
    25. present: Dates are explicit: notification "on April 9, 2018" of an incident on "Saturday, April 7, 2018."
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, 0 of 25. Unanimous. The notice describes the assault and lists support resources but never states physical or community consequences or any severity for readers.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: No statement of severity or potential harm accompanies the report of the incident itself.
    2. absent: No description of injury risk or how serious the danger to others might be.
    3. absent: No statement about danger or possible harm to the wider community appears in the notice.
    4. absent: No statement conveys the severity or potential harm of the threat to other community members.
    5. absent: No statement of injury, danger or severity accompanies the report of the assault.
    6. absent: No statement conveys severity of harm or what the threat could do to other community members.
    7. absent: No statement of severity or potential harm beyond naming the assault itself.
    8. absent: No injury, severity or potential harm from the incident itself is stated in the text.
    9. absent: No statement of physical harm, injury or ongoing danger to the community is made.
    10. absent: No statement of injury, danger, or severity to the community accompanies the report.
    11. absent: No statement of injury, danger level or potential harm accompanies the report.
    12. absent: No statement of severity or potential physical consequence accompanies the report.
    13. absent: No injury, danger or severity is described; the text stays with reporting resources and prevention advice.
    14. absent: The text offers resources and prevention advice but never states severity or potential consequences.
    15. absent: No injury, danger level, or consequence of the assault is described in the text.
    16. absent: No consequence or severity statement appears; the harm of the assault itself is never characterized.
    17. absent: No injury, danger or severity to the community is described, only resources and prevention advice.
    18. absent: No statement of physical danger or severity of potential harm is offered to recipients.
    19. absent: Though an assault is described, no statement of ongoing danger, injury severity, or consequence is offered.
    20. absent: Beyond naming the assault, no severity or potential harm to readers is spelled out.
    21. absent: The text offers resources but never states how severe the harm is or could be.
    22. absent: No injury, danger level, or consequence is stated beyond the naming of the assault itself.
    23. absent: No statement of physical harm or how dangerous the situation is appears in the text.
    24. absent: No statement of injury, danger level or potential harm from the hazard is offered.
    25. absent: No injury, danger or severity of outcome is stated anywhere in the notice.

Coded by Claude Opus 5

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

MIT Police publishes Clery timely warnings and crime alerts at police.mit.edu/crime-alert with full incident narrative, safety guidance, and issuer attribution. This entry is from residual archive recovery for Fondling.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official MIT Police crime-alert page preserves complete timely-warning narrative text.
Outcome
MIT Police investigation status as stated in the official crime alert.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    Fondling | MIT Police
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Sexual assault reported in a campus crime alert; near detailed information below pertains." Incident of April 9, 2018. Added July 2026; last updated August 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-fondling-2018-04-09/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
mitmassachusetts-institute-of-technologytimely-warningsexual-assaultcrime-alertUnder Investigation
Added July 2026Updated August 2026Via ingestion