Cornell students protest alleged 2022 frat house gang rape

Students at Cornell University gathered on Thursday to demand major reforms after a civil lawsuit revived allegations of a gang rape that occurred in 2022.

Undergraduate Sophia Riley Sim addressed the assembly, saying the campus was “absolutely ashamed” of the events and that students “deserve to know that our institution values our safety more than its reputation.” Many participants described the university’s handling of the case as a “disgrace” and called for the expulsion of the men involved, known in the media as the “Cornell Seven,” as well as a rewrite of sexual‑assault policies.

The accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, filed the lawsuit on 16 September, alleging she was drugged and raped at a fraternity house and that Cornell failed to protect her or adequately punish the perpetrators. The university has agreed to an independent investigation and says an “extensive investigation” was carried out following the original report, resulting in sanctions that included expulsions and suspensions, though it cannot disclose details due to legal restrictions.

Following the student assembly, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the appointment of State Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor, replacing Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, who had previously concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone.

Students and staff said the renewed attention has cast a “dark cloud” over campus life, prompting calls for greater transparency, external oversight and mandatory prevention training for campus police.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Quang Vuong / Pexels.