A female UCLA student was sexually assaulted on campus near a residence hall, university police have confirmed.

The incident happened about 2:20 a.m. Friday at the top of the Saxon steps, according to a UCLA Police Department crime alert.

"A male suspect called out to a female student climbing the steps in the northwest part of campus and, after a brief conversation, sexually assaulted her," according to a statement from the school.

The victim was able to escape and call police. She is now recovering, UCPD spokeswoman Nancy Greenstein said.

It is unclear if the attacker knew the victim, Greenstein said.

According to a 2008 Daily Bruin article, the area was at one time, unofficially known as "the Rape Trail." School police would not comment on the moniker but did say that the campus is very safe. In 2010, the most recent full year for campus crime statistics, three rapes were reported, according to UCPD.

A phone call to the school's residence life department was not immediately returned.

The assailant was described as a white man, 6 feet tall, weighing about 150 pounds with short brown hair and blues eyes. He was wearing shorts, a white T-shirt and had an oval face, according to campus police.

Anyone with information can contact UCPD at 310-825-1491.

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