Prosecutors in the US have reopened an investigation into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University, following claims that the elite college failed to properly punish those involved. The alleged victim said in a civil lawsuit that she was drugged with ketamine, assaulted, and raped in 2024 by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity, a social club for male students.
Cornell University closed the fraternity and temporarily suspended the students involved, with several later being expelled. However, the newly released details of the alleged incident have fueled allegations that the university was too lenient and reignited a debate over sexual assault on US campuses. The university's handling of the case has faced criticism from various quarters.
Matthew Van Houten, district attorney for Tompkins County in New York, said he plans to file criminal charges against the seven men involved. Initially, his office chose not to prosecute in 2024 because the victim's testimony did not establish a lack of consent. However, with new allegations, Van Houten decided to reopen the case, citing the reality that it can take years for victims of sexual assaults to fully process and understand what happened to them.
Van Houten's decision to reopen the case was welcomed by many, including Cornell University. Kyle Kimball, vice president of university relations at Cornell, said the Ivy League school supports the decision to reinvestigate the case. Kimball also rejected claims that the suspects were offered the opportunity to write essays to mitigate their conduct, stating that any suggestion the university did not impose consequential punishments is false.
The civil lawsuit filed in New York provides graphic details of the alleged assault, including a screenshot of a Snapchat group message advertising "free pussy" during the incident. The suit seeks financial damages from Cornell and the seven suspects, alleging that the woman has suffered "severe emotional and psychological distress." The lawsuit has brought attention to the case and highlighted concerns about the university's handling of sexual assault allegations.
The case has also drawn condemnation from prominent figures, including British actor Florence Pugh and Democratic lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Pugh expressed her anger on Instagram, stating that colleges and universities repeatedly fail women. Ocasio-Cortez condemned a "culture of rape" at elite institutions like Cornell, highlighting the need for change and greater accountability.
The reopening of the case marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over sexual assault on US campuses. The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent trial will be closely watched, as it may have implications for how universities handle similar cases in the future. The alleged victim's lawsuit against Cornell and the seven suspects is ongoing, with many awaiting further updates on the case.
Key points
- Prosecutors have reopened an investigation into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University following public outcry.
- The alleged victim's civil lawsuit provides graphic details of the assault and alleges that Cornell failed to properly punish those involved.
- The case has drawn condemnation from prominent figures, including Florence Pugh and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who highlight the need for greater accountability and change.
