Editor’s note: This article contains references to sexual assault.
One night’s actions can change a life forever. Even one minute, one quick decision, can haunt someone for the rest of their life. For many women, that decision, action and moment isn’t one they decide on, but one someone else does. Someone who walks away seemingly unaffected while the person left behind is forever forced to live with the repercussions.
Rape is a crime. And it should be treated and punished as such.
On Sept. 16, a former Cornell University student, known as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against Cornell, its Chi Phi Fraternity, Delta Delta Delta sorority and seven men she alleges drugged and gang-raped her in October 2024.
Their names are Matthew Ingalls, Johnathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar.
This lawsuit prompted the local district attorney to reopen the case after he declined to press criminal charges in 2024. Initially, the district attorney left the repercussions in Cornell’s hands.
Cornell expelled two of the men, suspended two others, named one of them “persona non grata” because he had graduated and issued no-contact orders with Jane Doe to the last two. The men were also, according to the lawsuit, “afforded the opportunity to mitigate their conduct by submitting essays to” Cornell.
The university responded to this particular claim in a statement, saying none of the defendants “were offered the opportunity to write essays as a sole consequence of their involvement.”
Even if the essays were not the sole consequence, their inclusion in the disciplinary actions is wildly unfit for the alleged crime, as are the other punishments. If the allegations are true, why would expulsion and essay writing be the end of their punishment?
Rape should not be treated merely as a violation of university policy. It is a crime. Punishments like the ones given to the “Cornell 7” do not reflect the severity of the alleged actions and only perpetuate rape culture.
Women who have experienced sexual violence may see cases like Jane Doe’s and decide not to come forward. Why seek justice just for the system to fail you?
Jane Doe is not the only woman failed by a system meant to protect her. Rape culture tells women to stay silent, and Cornell’s handling of this case is only reinforcing that message. There’s no question that Cornell University failed Jane Doe.
The university’s treatment of alleged rape also sends a dangerous message about the consequences of committing sexual violence.
If there are little to no consequences, what is stopping other men from thinking they can do the same and walk away without facing any serious repercussions?
Institutions that treat sexual violence as anything other than a crime only reinforce rape culture. Jane Doe deserves the chance to seek justice in a courtroom, with a proper investigation where the defendants can be properly punished if found guilty.
Universities can give out suspensions, assign essays and expel students. But when the allegation is rape, justice should not end on campus.
