Police will question a group of up to 80 asylum seekers being temporarily housed at Macquarie University following the alleged indecent assault of a student as she slept in her student accommodation in Sydney’s north.

 

A NSW Police spokesman said the group of male asylum seekers, believed to be from Sri Lanka, would be questioned with other people staying on campus after an intruder broke into the 20-year-old woman’s room in Marsfield and allegedly assaulted her early on Thursday morning.

 

Police said the woman was woken about 3.20am by a man who was indecently assaulting her in her room. The man fled from her room when she began screaming.

 

Detectives set up a crime scene at the student accommodation on Thursday and forensic police examined the student’s room.

 

They say they are looking for a man aged between 20 and 25, with a thin build, dark skin, and dark short curly hair.

 

He was not wearing a shirt and had on a pair of grey tracksuit pants.

 

Police confirmed the group of asylum seekers would be among those questioned.

 

“[Detectives] will speak to as many people as they can, and I am sure that group of refugees will be among them,” the spokesman said.

 

A Department of Immigration and Citizenship spokeswoman confirmed that a group of “irregular maritime arrivals” who were on bridging visas were being housed temporarily at Macquarie University.

 

The spokeswoman could not confirm reports on 2GB that it was a group of 80 men from Sri Lanka who were living in student dormitories.

 

“The matter relating to the incident is currently being investigated by the police,” she said.

 

“The contact details of the Red Cross state program co-ordinator [who organised the asylum seekers’ accommodation] have been provided to the police.”

 

The spokeswoman said all transitional accommodation organised for asylum seekers was in private rentals and private accommodation, and none were in public housing.

 

“All clients in transitional accommodation on bridging visas are being helped to learn Australian community expectations with their case manager’s guidance.

 

“All rental accommodation is expected to be appropriately zoned for residential accommodation with a local council or shire.”

 

In a statement, Macquarie University said a student living in Macquarie University Village had reported “an alleged attack”.

 

“The police are now investigating and as this is an ongoing investigation the university will not comment,” the statement said.

 

“Our concern is to ensure the welfare and safety of our students. We have provided ongoing counselling and security support to the student and broader campus community. We are in contact with the students and their families to make sure they get any help or advice they need.”

 

The university said that in 2012, the Macquarie University Village, which is owned and operated by the independent Campus Living Villages, made an agreement with the Red Cross Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme to provide services for asylum seekers, including temporary accommodation.

 

“Some media reports have linked the existence of refugees to the alleged incident,” the statement said.

 

“The university does not have any evidence that this is the case and is awaiting the outcome of the police investigation,” Sydney Morning Herald  reports.