Lawsuit Alleges University of Chicago Fraternity Ignored Past Sexual Assault Reports

An unnamed teenager has filed a lawsuit against the University of Chicago chapter of Alpha Delta Phi, alleging the fraternity neglected its responsibility to prevent sexual assaults and failed to implement adequate safeguards, despite prior reports of similar incidents. The lawsuit claims the fraternity ignored known risks and a history of misconduct, which dates back to at least 2009.

The plaintiff alleges she was sexually assaulted on Feb. 7 after being offered an unidentified alcoholic beverage by a fraternity member, which made her feel unsteady and lightheaded. According to the suit, the fraternity member then led her to a secluded room where she was unable to give consent. Following the alleged assault, she was found struggling to speak and requiring assistance to walk.

The fraternity told ABC News that it "suspended the member involved" after learning of the allegations. The University of Chicago has not yet responded to a request for comment.

History of Incidents

The lawsuit details a pattern of alleged incidents at the Alpha Delta Phi house, including two separate reports of sexual assault in 2009. More recently, an anonymous social media post in 2022 also alleged a sexual assault at the same fraternity house.

Despite these documented reports and alleged additional instances of sexual misconduct between 2009 and February 2026, the lawsuit claims Alpha Delta Phi National did not take significant preventative actions. These alleged failures include not imposing interim suspensions, not restricting social events, and not requiring secured access to residential floors or the presence of sober monitors during events.

Attorneys for the plaintiff stated that the fraternity made public commitments to sexual assault prevention but failed to enforce its policies at chapter events.

The Alleged Assault

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff attended a party at the fraternity residence on the night of the alleged assault. After being offered and consuming an "unidentified alcohol," she began to feel disoriented. The suit claims a fraternity member then led her to a bedroom, where she lost the ability to physically or verbally resist.

The plaintiff alleges that after the assault, she was left unconscious in the room. Her friend later found her and assisted her out of the room, noting she was struggling to speak and walk. The plaintiff awoke the next morning to discover blood stains in her underwear and subsequently reported the assault to the Chicago Police Department. The lawsuit states the police investigation is ongoing.

Alpha Delta Phi National released a statement acknowledging the allegations and emphasizing they are taking them "extremely seriously." The fraternity stated that the described conduct is "deeply troubling and inconsistent with our values" and committed to cooperating with law enforcement. Due to the ongoing lawsuit, they declined to provide further details.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and ongoing psychological harm.