Alumni are considering withdrawing financial support, public figures are severing ties, and individuals are boycotting organizations linked to an alleged gang rape incident at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. The case gained widespread attention following a civil lawsuit filed by the victim, identified as Jane Doe, accusing the private Ivy League institution of shielding seven individuals known as “the Cornell 7.” According to court documents, the victim claims she was drugged and assaulted by these men over an extended period at a fraternity house in October 2024.
The legal action, lodged in New York Supreme Court and reviewed by CBC News, asserts that the assault occurred at the Chi Phi fraternity house on campus. Allegations include one fraternity member sending a Snapchat message inviting others to partake in “free pussy.” The lawsuit also contends that the accused received lenient disciplinary actions from the university, including the opportunity to submit essays to mitigate their behavior, a claim disputed by Cornell.
While none of the fraternity members have faced criminal charges, the case has stirred online outrage, drawing parallels to previous high-profile sexual assault trials. Responding to mounting pressure, the Tompkins County district attorney announced the reopening of the investigation to ensure a thorough and unbiased examination of the allegations.
Cornell University, in a recent statement, expressed support for the criminal grand jury process but refuted claims regarding the punishment of the accused individuals. The university clarified that consequential measures were indeed taken against those involved and reiterated its commitment to addressing the matter transparently.
The lawsuit details a harrowing narrative of events on the night of October 19, 2024, alleging that the victim, in an inebriated state, was subjected to non-consensual sexual acts by multiple perpetrators. The legal action seeks unspecified damages from the seven accused individuals, the Chi Phi fraternity, Cornell University, Moonies Bar and Nightclub, and others.
The case has sparked a swift and impassioned response online, with various stakeholders condemning the alleged assault and the handling of the situation by the university. Calls for accountability and justice have reverberated across social media platforms, with public figures and alumni voicing their concerns and advocating for change in response to the disturbing allegations.