3 women come forward with sexual assault accusations against UW student

MADISON -- (WITI) -- A University of Wisconsin student accused of raping another UW student in October could be facing more sexual assault charges. 20-year-old Alec Cook was accused of raping a 20-year-old woman on October 12th -- and since then, two more women have come forward — also claiming Cook assaulted them.

Fifteen counts of fourth degree sexual assault will be added against Cook — who is already facing nine charges:

• Second degree sexual assault/use of force (four counts)
• Strangulation and suffocation
• Battery (three counts)
• False imprisonment

A woman contacted the University of Wisconsin Police Department, telling police Cook touched her inappropriately at least 15 times during a ballroom dancing class last semester.

Since then, two other victims have come forward -- telling police they have been sexually assaulted in some way by Cook.

UW police said they're expecting even more people to come forward.

“She saw him in news coverage and thought back to what he did to her and how inappropriate it was and felt compelled to come forward and explain what happened, and we're glad she did. She's very brave to do so,” Marc Lovicott, UWPD public information officer said.

UW police are encouraging anyone who may have been victimized by Cook to come forward with information.

Since these allegations have come to light, Cook has been suspended from UW.

He is expected in court Thursday, October 27 — where more charges could be filed.