Tulane police are warning their students to be on the look out for a possible rapist following an alleged attack where a female student was sexually assaulted and badly beaten.

The incident occurred near the corner of Freret and Broadway early Sunday morning.

The school sent out an e-mail and posted flyers warning students to be careful.

"It's pretty scary," said Tulane senior Cali Hersh. "I had my friend walk me home last night. There's a lot of crime in New Orleans, especially in this area with all the students that are here. It's just pretty scary."

According to one report, a Tulane student was walking back to campus from a local bar, down Freret Street when an unknown man approached and that the student was attacked just off-campus, not far from the school’s library.

Tulane police say the victim suffered a broken jaw in the attack.

Captain Reid Noble called the alleged incident unusual because it happened on a street that is heavily traveled, day and night.

"We have no reports that are similar," said Noble. "We have no information or intel to tell us that this is something that's been going on either around this campus or in the area."

The NOPD is heading up the investigation.

An NOPD spokesperson told Eyewitness News, the victim did not want to file a police report for personal reasons and that she has not been able to give a good description of the attacker.

Tulane police believe the student's claims are credible.

"Any trauma that occurs to someone is going to affect them in a certain way," said Noble. "We emphasize to the victims of crimes that they have all the time in the world to change their minds."

Signs are now hanging across the Tulane campus letting students know about Sunday's sexual assault and also reminding them to be careful, especially after dark.

Please stay in groups," said Noble. "Don't walk alone. Utilize the campus escort service. Utilize our shuttle services. Stay aware of your surroundings."

Students are heeding the warnings.

"It does make sense to walk around in crowds because there have been muggings and other things in this area, but late at night," said Tulane freshman Margaret Abrams.

"I still feel pretty safe I guess," said Tulane senior Jessie King. "I don't know, if you make smart decisions, bad things happen all the time, you just hope they don't happen to you, I guess."

"I'll make sure to have some guys walk me home from now on," said Hersh. "It's just nothing that's worth the risk."

Campus police say they plan to post additional details about the alleged attack on the Tulane Security website. Loyola is also warning their students to be cautious. Both schools help patrol Freret Street near the campuses, along with the NOPD.

They are also working with the victim, hoping to get more information to help in their ongoing investigation.