Cornell launches independent investigation into alleged 2024 gang rape

The facts date back to October 2024, when a girl accused seven students of the Chi Phi fraternity of raping her while she was under the influence of alcohol and ketamine. The case has reignited controversy over the handling of sexual assault reports on American college campuses

The American Cornell University has announced the launch of an independent external investigation into the handling of an alleged gang rape dating back to 2024. The decision comes after the reopening of the investigation by the prosecutor's office in Tompkins County, New York.

The announcement from the president of the university

This was communicated by the president of the university, Michael Kotlikoff, who in a video message published on the university website explained that an external law firm will analyze the institute's actions. “I welcome the independent examination of all aspects of how Cornell handled the 2024 case,” Kotlikoff said, calling the final days among the most difficult in the institution's history. "This matter will weigh on our community for many years."

The complaint and the reopening of the investigation

The prosecutor's office decided to reopen the file after the young woman who filed the complaint initiated a civil case. At the time of the events, which occurred in October 2024, the girl was 20 years old. According to her story, she was raped by seven students belonging to the Chi Phi fraternity while she was under the influence of alcohol and ketamine.

Doubts about the first investigation

Prosecutor Matthew Van Houten, already in office at the time of the events, explained that the initial complaint had not been prosecuted because the elements transmitted by the police suggested, in his opinion, that the relations were consensual. According to several media outlets, campus police omitted parts of the statement in which the young woman described the incident as a rape and said she was forced to suffer abuse.