Handling of rape allegations at Cornell shows why so many assaults go unreported – victims don’t trust the institutions that are supposed to help them
Only 7% of sexual assault victims reported contacting local police.
In September 2026, a former Cornell University student filed a civil lawsuit alleging that seven Chi Phi fraternity members gang-raped her when she was a sophomore two years prior. Critics of the institution's handling of the case argue that it demonstrates why many sexual assaults go unreported. Victims often do not report assaults because they don't know where to turn, have concerns about confidentiality, or lack trust in the university to respond adequately.
This sentiment echoes the general underreporting of sexual assault and abuse. According to surveys, only 37.5% of students believed campus officials would take sexual assault allegations seriously, and only 7.1% contacted local police after the assault occurred. In Jane Doe's case, she reported the assault to police three weeks later.
Despite definitively stating she had been raped, the Ithaca police report sent to the district attorney omitted this language. The district attorney declined to press charges without ever interviewing Jane Doe. Cornell's internal investigation resulted in expulsion, suspension, or other disciplinary actions for several accused individuals.
After the lawsuit, Governor Kathy Hochul appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the handling of the case. Campus sexual assault is a well-known issue, but data on the current problem is limited due to the requirement for formal reporting under the 1990 Clery Act. Only 16% of victims report their assault. Underreporting is driven by factors such as lack of awareness of reporting options, confidentiality concerns, and the perception that institutions will not adequately respond.
Risk factors for campus sexual assault include involvement in fraternities or sororities, alcohol and drug use, and the prevalence of perpetrators known to the victim. The case highlights the impact of sexual assault on students' mental and physical health, lower grades, and higher dropout rates. While schools are legally obligated under Title IX to address sexual assault allegations, the focus of prevention programs often remains on teaching potential victims how to defend themselves and raise awareness about "rape myths."
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