What the Cornell 7 Case Reveals About Consent and Bravery

The tragic assault at Cornell University in 2024 has sparked a national conversation about consent and bravery. Parents are rightfully concerned about their sons, but the focus on the "Cornell 7" is incomplete. Legal experts suggest those who didn't intervene may not be criminally liable. The issue lies not in a lack of awareness about consent among young men, but in their willingness to ignore it.

The problem extends beyond just the seven accused, to the dozens of others in the fraternity chat who were enticed to participate in an unspeakable act. The culture surrounding this behavior is deeply concerning. While it's comforting to think that most parents have taught their sons about consent, the reality is more complex. Our sons are aware of consent, but are they prepared to be brave when confronted with such a situation?

Courage doesn't just mean physical risk, but the bravery to speak up and act when witnessing harmful behavior. This requires practice and reinforcement, perhaps at the dinner table, discussing hypothetical scenarios. Our sons need to hear their mothers' experiences with sexual assault, as well as their fathers' stories of when they failed to act bravely.

By sharing these experiences, we can teach our sons that speaking up, even when it's difficult, is often the better choice. Student journalists at The Cornell Daily Sun demonstrated this through their investigation, showing that bravery often means stepping up despite the challenges. It's crucial that we equip our sons with the courage to be proactive, not reactive, in situations that could lead to harm.