Woman suing Cornell over alleged fraternity rape says she lives in constant fear
Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged and raped at Cornell's Chi Phi house, says her life has been upended and she feels under constant threat.
Jane Doe, who remains anonymous, is pursuing a civil case against Cornell University and the Chi Phi fraternity, alleging that several men drugged and raped her at the fraternity house in October 2024. Her lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, said that she has been unable to sleep without medication, is undergoing trauma therapy, and lives in constant fear after her home address was posted online and a prank emergency call resulted in armed police confronting her family.
While the accused men deny wrongdoing and have not faced criminal charges, Cornell, after criticism, announced a suspension of fraternity parties through the end of the academic year and will add dedicated sexual assault investigators to its campus police. Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed a special prosecutor, and Attorney General Letitia James will oversee a reopened criminal investigation, though Giuffra warns evidence may be stale. He remains confident the civil suit can succeed, citing the lower burden of proof compared to a criminal trial.
Why it matters
The case highlights campus sexual assault handling and pressures universities to reform safety policies.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Cornell students protest university's handling of fraternity gang-rape case
- Oct 6 Governor Kathy Hochul and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez have publicly framed the case as evidence of a broader culture of exploitation ahead of upcoming elections.
- Oct 13 Governor Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor for the case.
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