Former Cornell student sues university and fraternity over alleged gang rape

A former Cornell University student, identified only as Jane Doe, has filed a lawsuit against the university and seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity, alleging she was drugged and gang‑raped over several hours in October 2024.

Doe, who was 20 years old at the time of the incident, claims the assault took place at the fraternity house in Ithaca, New York. The legal action accuses Cornell of failing to protect her and of not taking adequate disciplinary action against the accused students.

According to the complaint, only two of the seven men were expelled from the university, while the remaining five received lesser sanctions such as writing essays and attending workshops. Doe’s lawyers argue that these measures were insufficient given the seriousness of the allegations.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about how Irish and international universities handle sexual assault allegations and the responsibilities of campus organisations. Cornell University has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Source: BBC News. Photo: yilia wei / Pexels.