A former student of Cornell University has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by seven men during an event at the Chi Phi fraternity house on the Ithaca campus in October 2024. In a police interview conducted weeks later, she reportedly stated, “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped.” This claim was made public following the acquisition of the interview transcript by CBS News, raising concerns and prompting discussions surrounding campus safety and the handling of sexual assault cases.
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Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, whose office previously opted not to file charges in the case, issued a statement this week indicating he was unaware of her strong assertion at the time the case was initially assessed. He acknowledged that the woman did not mention being drugged or gang-raped in her sworn statement made to campus police in November 2024. Van Houten stated that her claims did not meet the legal threshold for prosecution. However, the District Attorney has reopened the investigation in light of a civil lawsuit recently filed by the woman against the university and several individuals involved.
The lawsuit, filed under the name Jane Doe, asserts that the woman was intoxicated and under the influence of drugs when the alleged assault occurred on the night of October 19 into the early hours of October 20. Encouraged by friends to report the incident, she approached campus police weeks after the event. Despite her allegations, no criminal charges were brought against any of the individuals involved.
In a statement, Cornell University confirmed that it had conducted a Title IX investigation independent of any criminal proceedings. The results of this investigation led to sanctions, including the expulsion of some students and suspensions for others involved in the case. The fraternity chapter in question was subsequently closed and remains barred from campus activities.
The complaint filed by Doe also includes evidence in the form of a screenshot from a Snapchat group chat among fraternity members, which featured a message that read “free p—-” at 1:42 a.m. on the morning of October 20. This particular message has raised further questions about the culture within the fraternity and attitudes towards sexual consent among its members.
The police interview, which took place on November 14 and continued the following day, involved questioning by both a campus police investigator and a Title IX investigator. Support representatives accompanied Doe during the process. According to the CBS report, Doe shared that she had consumed alcohol and drugs that night and expressed gaps in her memory regarding the events of the evening.
As the questioning progressed, the investigator probed her on her comfort level with what had transpired, to which she replied, “Yeah, as much as I can be” given her state at the time. However, she later stated, “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped” when discussing the night’s events. The transcript reveals that Doe indicated physical coercion was involved, stating, “It was coercion, yes,” and she described feeling “completely and totally incapacitated.”
Doe’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, has publicly criticized Van Houten’s handling of the case, questioning the thoroughness of the initial investigation. He emphasised the inconsistency in the District Attorney’s approach, especially given that a group chat appears to promote sexual assaults. Giuffra expressed disappointment at the apparent lack of urgency in pursuing the allegations based on the evidence presented.
Van Houten responded to concerns raised, stating that if the evidence suggested Doe had been incapacitated against her will and assaulted by multiple individuals, it would have warranted criminal charges leading to their prosecution. He reiterated the importance of investigating new claims that emerge, focusing on striving for justice while maintaining a fair process.
As the developments unfold, the case continues to attract attention not only concerning the allegations of assault but also regarding the broader implications for campus culture and the responsibility of institutions to ensure student safety.
The woman’s experiences resonate in discussions surrounding sexual violence and the mechanisms in place to support victims. Resources remain available for those affected by sexual abuse, highlighting the importance of awareness and support for individuals navigating such traumatic events.