About a week ago, the story of the "Cornell 7" allegations broke publicly when a civil lawsuit was filed by a former Cornell University student known only as Jane Doe. The lawsuit detailed an October 2024 sexual assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house and Cornell University's handling of the assault after it was reported to school officials.
The public backlash against the seven rapists and four university officials named in the suit, as well as Cornell University, the Ivy League, and fraternities as a whole has been swift. Many people have shared their own experiences with institutions of higher learning and the mishandling of sexual assaults.
Entertainers have also used their platforms to call out rape culture, which still asks what the victim did wrong instead of why the rapists chose to rape someone and why no one tried to stop them.
Actor Florence Pugh shared a statement on her Instagram that Meta censored for "sensitive content" for her use of the word "rape" instead of a more palatable substitute.
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Pugh captioned her post:
"And if you are one of those shouting about this from the rooftops- thank you. Truly. This is a human issue, not a women’s issue. We are all involved. Men especially."
"Most importantly, to Jane Doe who bravely stood up to the despicable college that chose to do the wrong thing, you are so unbelievably powerful. So strong willed. And know that women everywhere are here to hold you and help you on your healing journey. Thank you for telling the world, we will do better."
You can see Pugh's full post here, edited only for profanity.
@florencepugh/Instagram
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Actor and Broadway performer Josh Gad also spoke out on Instagram, decrying the culture that puts more importance on the futures of rapists than the danger they pose to society or the harm they inflicted on another person.
You can see his post here:
@joshgad/Instagram
Satirist and former MadTV and South Park writer Toby Morton announced he had acquired the domain name TheCornell7.org and would be creating a website featuring the seven men listed in the lawsuit and the Cornell officials who gave them a slap on the wrist.
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Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams shared an Instagram story with photos of the seven accused rapists and the text calling for their arrests.
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Actor and activist Jameela Jamil called for more drastic measures.
Jamil wrote:
"I think the likes of the Cornell 7 shouldn't be allowed penises anymore.They used them as weapons, so now they have to be confiscated."
@jameelajamil/Instagram
In response to the public backlash, Cornell University released two statements.
On September 28, the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office officially reopened a criminal investigation into the alleged 2024 gang rape by seven Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University.
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