Cornell 7 gang-rape case reignites US debate over campus sexual violence

Cornell University's alleged gang rape case has reignited debate over campus sexual violence in the United States. The accuser, identified as Jane Doe, claims in a lawsuit that she was drugged with ketamine and raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024. The allegations fall within the "red zone," a period at the start of the academic year when a large number of assaults occur, often at drug and alcohol-fueled parties.

According to a 2020 study by the Association of American Universities, one in four female students and one in 14 male students experience rape or sexual assault during their undergraduate studies.

Activists have criticized Cornell's response to the allegations, stating that severe punishments like expulsions are rare and that many fraternity members are connected to elite networks and provide significant revenue for universities. The accuser, a sorority member, is statistically more likely than non-affiliated peers to suffer sexual assault.

The district attorney declined to prosecute initially, citing a lack of evidence of lack of consent. However, the case was reopened after the complainant's civil lawsuit highlighted perceived failures by prosecutors and the elite college to hold the men accountable.

Freyd, a psychology professor, emphasizes the need for a broader institutional approach that respects whistleblowers and takes allegations seriously. She also highlights the importance of comprehensive sex education that includes teaching about consent from a young age. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has vowed to address a legal provision in New York and several other US states that makes it harder to prosecute rape cases if accusers were willingly intoxicated.

The governor has appointed Attorney General Letitia James, who has clashed with President Donald Trump, as a special prosecutor for the Cornell case.