How Cornell rape case throws a harsh spotlight on fraternities — and their pattern of violence

On September 16, a former Cornell University student filed a civil lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court alleging she was raped by seven members of a university fraternity chapter in 2024. The seven students, who belonged to Cornell's chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity, are collectively referred to as the "Cornell 7." This case has sparked outrage on campuses across the country, particularly concerning Cornell's handling of the incident in 2024.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James to lead the case, highlighting the failure of the university to protect the survivor. The incident has also shed light on the autonomy and freedoms afforded to fraternities, or Greek organizations, in the United States. With an estimated one million students currently involved in such organisations, fraternities and sororities, known collectively as Greek life, have been a part of college culture for centuries.

Originally established in the late 1700s as alternatives to literary societies, fraternities were primarily exclusive, serving to separate wealthier or secular students from those pursuing ministry. Over time, they evolved into social, academic, and professional networks, often named after Greek letters. While fraternities were initially less likely to be sites of sexual assault due to their gender-segregated structure, the Cornell case has brought attention to the broader patterns of misconduct and autonomy within these organisations.