How a Cornell student went from shame to seeking justice

Debra Kamin, Matt Flegenheimer and Amy Julia HarrisJane Doe, a Cornell student, initially felt shame and confusion after a fraternity party assault but gradually recognised she was a victim and reported the incident to campus police.The university's Title IX committee conducted multiple hearings, while the district attorney declined criminal charges due to insufficient evidence; Jane Doe later filed a civil lawsuit against seven men.The case highlights ongoing challenges around sexual assault, consent, and campus culture, showing the victim's painful journey amid rumours, support struggles, and institutional responses.NEW YORK – In October 2024, about a week after a Chi Phi fraternity party at Cornell University, the sophomore who would come to be known as Jane Doe was milling around an online forum about Greek life when she encountered a post that stopped her cold.“Are Chi Phi brothers Crips or Bloods because I hear they have been doing hell Gang Banging?” someone had written.Get unlimited access to exclusive stories and incisive insights from the ST newsroom