A former Cornell University student who alleges she was gang-raped at a fraternity party has received multiple threats urging her to withdraw her civil lawsuit, her lawyer has said.
The woman, identified in court papers as Jane Doe, was 20 at the time of the alleged attack in October 2024. According to her civil suit, she was drugged, attacked and raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity at the fraternity house in Ithaca, New York. The alleged assault followed pressure to snort a drug believed to be ketamine, and documents seen by The Independent detail a message sent to the fraternity's Snapchat group saying there was 'free p****' and inviting others to join.
Threats against the accuser
Thomas Giuffra, Jane Doe's lawyer, told CNN that she has received 'multiple threats' from people who have threatened to 'silence or harm' her if she does not 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 her civil lawsuit on September 16, detailing the alleged attack. In response, Cornell University said 'any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false'.
University president responds
Following widespread outcry, New York prosecutors said they would reopen the criminal inquiry into the alleged rape. Cornell's president, Michael Kotlikoff, released an eight-minute video 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,' Kotlikoff said. He added that the case raised 'troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanisation and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use', and 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.
