The Tompkins County District Attorney, Matthew Van Houten, has re-opened a sexual assault case from 2024 involving a former Cornell University student. This development follows a civil lawsuit filed earlier this month by the former student, identified as Jane Doe, against the Ivy League university.
Jane Doe's lawsuit alleges she was drugged and raped by several fraternity members at the university in 2024. She also claimed that Cornell failed to protect her or adequately punish the individuals involved. Prosecutors had initially declined to pursue charges at the time of the alleged assault.
Cornell University has defended its handling of the 2024 case, stating it conducted an extensive investigation and imposed sanctions, including barring the fraternity from campus and suspending or expelling students. The university also stated it followed procedures outlined in federal civil rights law Title IX.
Advocates for survivors of sexual assault suggest that cases like this highlight broader challenges in responding to sexual assault claims on college campuses. They note that the process of navigating both university and criminal justice systems can be confusing and difficult for survivors.