A Cornell University student has expressed feelings of betrayal regarding the handling of a reported 2024 sexual assault case after she provided information to campus police. The alleged victim, referred to as Jane Doe in court documents, has filed a lawsuit claiming that she was sexually assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity during a gathering at their house in October 2024.
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In a recent interview with NBC, the student, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared that she became aware of the assault allegations shortly after the incident transpired. She initially heard the news circulating as a rumour among students, with accounts suggesting that Jane Doe intended to engage in a threesome. However, she described the situation as having “gone off the rails,” leading her to feel horrified by the implications of the alleged events.
In response to the seriousness of the allegations, Cornell University issued a crime safety alert to its campus community. This prompted the student and a friend to provide tips to the authorities, believing that the university was managing the situation appropriately. The student stated, “It felt like the right thing to do if we could help this girl,” which motivated her to approach the police days after Doe filed her report.
According to Doe’s lawsuit, which was submitted to the New York Supreme Court on September 16, it is alleged that she was drugged and sexually assaulted after being intoxicated from events earlier in the evening. Court documents reveal that, following the circulation of a Snapchat group message claiming there was “free p—-” available in the fraternity house, additional men reportedly joined in the assault, which lasted until the early hours of the following morning.
In her statement to police, the anonymous student recalled sitting with officers, whom she perceived to be competent, for about half an hour. She recounted, “I guess I assumed that, like, I wasn’t enough,” indicating a sense of inadequacy regarding her contribution to the investigation.
Despite the Cornell police’s initial actions, including interviews with witnesses and gathering anonymous tips, there have been no criminal charges filed against the fraternity members, and their investigation did not refer the case to the local prosecutor. The Chi Phi fraternity has since been suspended and barred from campus activities.
Following the filing of the lawsuit, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten addressed the public, stating that there were discrepancies between the woman’s account provided to authorities and the details within the complaint. He indicated that the investigation would be reopened and prepared for presentation to a grand jury, following the involvement of state Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor.
In response to the lawsuit and allegations, attorneys representing three accused fraternity members have categorically denied the claims. Both Cornell University and its president, Michael Kotlikoff, released statements denouncing the alleged assault. The university acknowledged its awareness of the lawsuit concerning the disturbing allegations and stated that previous investigations were conducted in line with its policies. They confirmed the Chi Phi fraternity remains barred from campus but maintained that federal privacy laws prevent them from discussing specifics about individual students involved.
On October 3, Kotlikoff addressed the issue publicly for the first time, condemning the allegations as “deeply disturbing.” He welcomed further investigation into the incident, emphasising the critical issues surrounding sexual assault and the associated culture of alcohol and drug use.
The Chi Phi fraternity’s national headquarters has also labelled the situation “deeply concerning,” reiterating its commitment to principles of honour and integrity, and asserting that sexual violence is incompatible with the organisation’s values. They have stated their intention to handle the matter with the utmost care and respect for the ongoing legal processes.
As discussions surrounding the lawsuit and investigation continue, advocacy groups and concerned individuals are encouraged to remind those affected by sexual assault that support is available through resources such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
This incident has prompted broader conversations about campus safety, the handling of sexual assault allegations, and the responsibilities of educational institutions to their students.