Cornell Rape Accuser 'Under Siege' Online, Lawyer Says

The lawyer for a woman alleging she was raped at a Cornell University fraternity house stated that his client is "under siege" on social media, with individuals attempting to identify her. Thomas Giuffra, representing the woman referred to as Jane Doe in legal documents, told CNN that the accuser is "not doing well" due to the online harassment.

Doe alleges she was raped by seven men at the campus in Ithaca, New York, in 2024. While no charges were initially filed, the case has been reopened following the filing of a civil lawsuit. Giuffra asserted that his client was "incapable of consent" at the time of the alleged assault, stating she was "completely, grossly intoxicated" upon arriving at the fraternity house and was allegedly pressured into taking the drug ketamine.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed the state's Attorney General, Letitia James, to take over the investigation into the handling of the case. "This young woman had already endured something that is utterly unspeakable, and then at every turn she was failed by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her," Hochul stated at a news conference on Friday, expressing a loss of faith in the county prosecutor's ability to oversee the inquiry. The governor also pledged to address a legal loophole that complicates rape charges when an alleged victim has voluntarily consumed alcohol or drugs.

In solidarity, social media users have begun posting videos under the hashtag "I am Jane Doe," attempting to obscure the accuser's identity and share personal experiences of sexual assault. This movement gained traction after a political commentator publicly stated an intention to unmask Doe, arguing it was unfair for her to remain anonymous while the accused men were publicly named without charges.

Efforts by online sleuths to identify the men involved, referred to as the "Cornell Seven," have reportedly led to at least one instance of mistaken identity. The Free Press reported that an active-duty US Marine Corps sergeant with the same name as one of the accused men was incorrectly served the lawsuit, subsequently facing abuse and threats.