A former Cornell Student who was ‘gang raped’ at a fraternity party has been sent multiple threats after filing a civil suit.
The student, named as Jane Doe, was 20 years old at the time, and is said to have been drugged, attacked and raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024, according to a civil lawsuit.
After widespread outcry, New York prosecutors said they would reopen the criminal inquiry into her alleged rape.
Thomas Giuffra, the lawyer representing Jane Doe, told CNN that she has received ‘multiple threats’.
Some people have threatened to ‘silence or harm’ her if she doesn’t withdraw her case.
Giuffra said: ‘I’m not afraid of these people. But the threats, the abuse to protect what’s going on, the status quo — these guys are disgusting. They should stay in their mother’s basement and stay out of the world.’
Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit on September 16, detailing her alleged attack. Cornell has said ‘any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false’.
The alleged assault happened in October inside the fraternity house in Ithaca, New York, after the woman is said to have been pressured into snorting a drug believed to have been ketamine.
Before her alleged hours-long assault, one male student is said to have sent a message to the fraternity Snapchat group saying there was ‘free p****’ and invited others to join, documents seen by The Independent detail.
Yesterday, the president of Cornell University said the allegations will ‘weigh heavily’ on the institution.
Michael Kotlikoff shared an eight-minute clip last night in which he described the claims relating to the so-called Cornell 7 suspects as ‘deeply disturbing’.
‘My heart breaks when I think about what she [allegedly] experienced,’ the university president said.
Mr Kotlikoff added the case raised ‘troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanisation and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use’.
He said: ‘You have my commitment that this will not be a moment that passes.’
The University chief stressed his commitment to the investigation now being led by New York attorney general Letitia James and supported changes in laws to help victims of sexual assault and encourage them to come forward.
New York laws currently make it harder to advance prosecution for sexual assaults when individuals involved voluntarily consumed alcohol or drugs.
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