Florence Pugh Speaks Out Against Sexual Assault Complicity Following Cornell Lawsuit

Florence Pugh has voiced her strong feelings regarding sexual assault and complicity following a lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student. The actress took to Instagram to share an extended statement detailing her unease, sickness, and anxiety after learning about the allegations of a gang rape by fraternity members.

The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in New York Supreme Court, accuses seven fraternity members and the university of sexual assault. The former student claims that Chi Phi fraternity members used Snapchat to coordinate the assault, which has left her traumatized. A lawyer for one of the accused students has denied the allegations.

Pugh stated that such incidents demand a strong and vocal reaction from everyone, regardless of gender. "This is really the moment where we need our men to be as horrified and as sickened as us," she wrote. "You need to be leading conversations about how we change the allowance and complicity of this behaviour as much as we are. How can you expect us to trust that it's 'not all men' when in moments like this, many of you stay quiet?"

She described those complicit in the alleged attack, which reportedly occurred in October 2024 when the woman was 20, as "evil as those planning it." Pugh condemned inaction, stating, "To know that a torture as violent as rape is about to happen 'upstairs' and not do ANYTHING ABOUT IT, is sick, cowardly and cold."

The lawsuit alleges that the woman reported the incident to campus police approximately three weeks later. Cornell University suspended the fraternity and seven members on November 8, 2024. Two members were expelled, while others were reportedly offered the chance to write essays as contrition.

Pugh found the university's response unacceptable, criticizing the idea that a written apology could suffice after "the destroying of a body and killing of a soul." She argued, "All it takes is to write a quick 'I’m so sorry I raped a girl while she was drugged with my friends, we thought it would be fine?' essay and you’re good to go! We are not hard enough on those that want to damage human lives."

She saluted those at Cornell fighting for the victim and exposing the accused, asserting that they "should not be allowed to walk freely like the rest of us who treasure and care for souls." Pugh has been vocal about educational institutions repeatedly failing women and emboldening men who believe they can cause harm without repercussions. "What about the life that those girls then have to endure, with the knowledge that his reputation is more precious than her truth? Or to feel that no one with the power to do something cares that you were abused. It’s further soul-destroying," she commented.

She concluded by calling for greater accountability for those who protect and lightly sentence individuals accused of rape and destruction. "We are the life force of this earth, start f***ing protecting us. Be angry for us. Please."

Cornell University issued a statement on September 21 acknowledging the "deeply disturbing allegations of sexual assault." The university stated that its investigation and adjudication were consistent with university policies, and the fraternity chapter remains barred from campus. Due to federal privacy laws, Cornell cannot disclose specific information about individual students but noted that violations could lead to sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion. The university indicated it would respond in detail through the legal process and emphasized that it takes sexual violence extremely seriously.

A task force on campus sexual assault was launched by the school shortly after the incident, and several recommendations have been implemented, with others in development.