The last few weeks, outrage has spread across social media platforms and news outlets regarding the case of the Cornell University rape.

For background, the individual to be referred to as “Jane Doe” alleges that on 19 October 2024, she was raped at Cornell University’s Chi Pi fraternity by seven male students from the fraternity.

Doe reported the assault to Cornell University Police less than three weeks after the incident and messages sent in the fraternity’s Snapchat group in the early hours of the night of the incident were sent to the prosecutor.

The university did not exclude these men, and Doe was advised, she either return to the classroom or if she wished to leave, she could not receive a refund of her university fees (which we know in America are incredibly high).  The sad reality is this left Doe in a position where she either continued to face her abusers or give up her chosen academic career course.

The messages distributed included a picture of Doe taken on the night, messages referring to her in an extremely derogatory and sexualised way and messages seeming to encourage others to engage in sexual activity with Doe whilst she was intoxicated.

At the time, the prosecution concluded that the legal threshold to bring charges against the men were not met. Doe has now filed a civil lawsuit against several groups including the university, the Chi Phi fraternity, and the men alleged to have been involved in the assault.

The conversation in the media has rightly been focused on the very serious and concerning allegations about what happened at Cornell and wider implications of sexual assault, victim blaming (that alcohol was involved) and sharing images online. All women can be the “Jane Doe”, sexual violence continues to impact women on a daily basis, in every day life situations.

At the same time, the issues it has brought to public attention such as “male culture” and sexual assault at universities, are not issues which are confined to the US.  We have seen much talk of the impact of those like Andrew Tate on young impressionable men, who have access to such online with little restriction.

It is important for individuals to consider in the UK, if convicted of a sexual act, or holding/disturbing images (such as sharing on a messaging platform or uploading online) not only could this  result in a conviction, but also restrict the individuals ability to work in certain careers/with children or travel to certain countries (like the USA).

The National Union of Students President in the UK, Favour Samuel, said: ‘Students don’t need high profile horrifying accounts of sexual violence to know that our higher education institutions are too often unsafe environments for women and girls. We know it from our friends, our sisters, from our own experiences. And we carry the fear every day.’

A 2025 survey conducted by The Office for Students indicates that 14% of UK university students experience sexual assault whilst at university, and a quarter experience sexual harassment, with women and members of marginalised groups such as lesbian, gay, or bisexual students and disabled students being disproportionately affected.

Though several years ago now, the ‘rape chat’ at the University of Warwick springs to mind when considering the Cornell fraternity’s Snapchat group and the messages that were exchanged about Doe. In 2018, two female students at the University of Warwick complained to the university after discovering a social media group chat in which their male friends, housemates and course mates spoke about them and other women in a shockingly violent and sexual way.

More recently, claims are being investigated that members of a rugby club at the University of Bath planned to spike female students during freshers' week. We saw in the UK a surge in spiking incidents post covid.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault whilst at university, there are different legal routes to consider.

For instance, if the abuse was by an employee of the university, it may be possible to bring a civil claim against the university under the principle of vicarious liability.

Where the perpetrator was a fellow student or other individual, you may be eligible to make a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. To do this you must first report or have previously reported the matter to the police.

The abuse compensation team at Switalskis are able to provide confidential legal advice and can explore the legal options which might be available to you.

How can Switalskis help?

Every survivor of abuse deserves justice. This not only includes the abuser’s taking accountability for their crimes, but for the survivors to find their voice, take back control and access compensation for the harm they have suffered.

At Switalskis, our specialist abuse lawyers have decades of experience in representing survivors of child sexual exploitation. We understand that such cases are very emotional for clients and are often legally complex, therefore we are dedicated to providing a supportive and professional environment in which our clients can feel confident in our services. We are committed to ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

If you have been impacted and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our specialist abuse team can help. Call 0808 258 8041 or email help@switalskis.com  .