It all started on Wednesday evening, when a 101-page lawsuit was filed with the New York State Supreme Court. Jane Doe, an anonymous student and member of a women's sorority, accused seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of brutal gang rape that allegedly took place in the fall of 2024, CNN reports.
According to the lawsuit, the victim was drugged and the assault lasted several hours. The documents included, among others: screenshots from the Snapchat application, where one of the accused allegedly wrote about "free sex" and others reacted enthusiastically.
Information about the case quickly spread on social media, causing a wave of outrage and demands for immediate punishment of the perpetrators. Internet users began publishing photos and personal details of the alleged perpetrators, dubbed the "Cornell 7" by the public.
There were also voices online calling for caution and not drawing hasty conclusions, especially since the prosecutor's office had already refused to initiate criminal proceedings, considering that the victim described her behavior as voluntary and conscious.
Politics, media and social divisions
The Cornell case quickly became a topic of national debate. Famous people from the world of politics and show business joined the discussion. Actresses Florence Pugh and Mariska Hargitay publicly supported the victim, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the need to re-examine the case during a meeting with students. Sasha Pieterse, known from the series "Pretty Little Liars", also spoke and for the first time publicly admitted that she herself had been a victim of sexual violence. She emphasized how difficult it is to fight the feeling of shame and fear after such events.
Many commentators point out that similar cases - such as the famous case of Emma Sulkowicz from Columbia University or Chanel Miller from Stanford - have repeatedly sparked a national discussion about how universities deal with sexual violence. However, despite media storms and protests, the problem still returns.
Law, procedures and political turmoil
Over the past few years, laws regarding the protection of victims of sexual violence on campus have been amended numerous times. In 2011, the Barack Obama administration obliged universities to take more decisive actions under the so-called Title IX. The tightened procedures were intended to provide victims with greater support and protection. However, already in 2017, the Donald Trump administration withdrew some of these regulations, arguing that they limited the rights of accused persons. Further changes were introduced by the Joe Biden administration, only to restrict them again in 2026.
Experts and activists point out that these political squabbles have a real impact on students' safety. Emma Grasso Levine, a Title IX policy specialist, emphasizes that current laws may discourage victims from reporting crimes, and universities often care more about their own image than the well-being of students.
The voice of students
There is a growing sense of uncertainty and frustration among students. Saanya Agarwal, a Cornell student, recalls how in 2024 the university sent a terse message about a reported assault, without providing any details. This feeling of lack of transparency led her to run for student government, where she fought for greater openness of the university authorities. Many students ask themselves: what if it could have been me, says Agarwal.
Similar voices can be heard at other universities. Reyes Almeida from Boston University emphasizes that many victims do not report crimes because they do not believe in the effectiveness of the university's actions. Tamyah Crafton of Rowan University is calling for more information and open meetings with authorities after each reported incident.
The university's reaction
In response to the scandal, Cornell University suspended the activities of the Chi Phi fraternity and established a special team to combat sexual violence. However, many students and activists believe this is not enough. The lack of transparency and the sense of impunity for perpetrators contribute to an increasing atmosphere of fear and distrust on campuses.
Experts emphasize that it is crucial to conduct an open debate on consent, educate about sexual violence and support for victims. Kim Villanueva from the National Organization for Women points out that changing culture takes time and the involvement of the entire society.
