Stanford Graduate Slams University Over Handling of Dorm Room Rape Case
A survivor details years of alleged delays and errors by the university and law enforcement in her case, culminating in her attacker being allowed to finish his degree.
A Stanford University graduate has publicly criticized the institution's handling of her alleged dorm room rape, stating that the process has been marred by years of delays and mistakes, allowing her attacker to remain on track to graduate.
The woman, who has maintained anonymity, shared her account in The Stanford Daily, the student newspaper, detailing how the university and law enforcement allegedly mishandled her case for years.
She questioned the university's decision to allow the student found responsible for her rape to continue his education. Stanford's Title IX investigation, which took two years, reportedly caused her significant distress, including avoiding classes with her attacker and missing opportunities like studying abroad. The disciplinary action ultimately resulted in a two-year suspension rather than expulsion.
The Stanford Daily reported that it verified her claims using contemporaneous emails, text messages, and documents.
Her experience comes as public attention is focused on the "Cornell 7" case, which involves accusations of sexual assault against fraternity members at Cornell University. The Stanford survivor expressed frustration that her case might not receive the same level of scrutiny despite alleged institutional failures.
According to her account, Stanford campus police waited four months after her initial report before contacting witnesses. The case was eventually submitted to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office in late 2023. However, she described conflicting accounts from both offices regarding the case's status, with the DA's office stating it was returned to campus police for further investigation and the campus department denying its receipt.
She alleges that the initial submission was incomplete and missing witness reports. After nearly four months, she was informed by a detective that prosecutors intended to file charges, a decision later confirmed by the DA's office. However, the charges were not officially filed for another five months, despite her repeated inquiries. The DA's office reportedly issued a brief apology for the delay.
The survivor stated that preventable errors and prolonged delays by the institutions responsible for her case have wasted years of her life. The criminal justice process remains unresolved, even after she completed her degrees and relocated.
She further questioned Stanford's decision not to expel the student, asking what actions would warrant expulsion if a finding of responsibility for rape did not. Last year, she reportedly contacted Stanford Provost Jenny Martinez, who referred her to the vice provost for institutional equity, access and community. This official informed her that the university would review past disciplinary sanctions for consistency. The outcome of this review has not been disclosed.
The California Post has contacted Stanford University, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, and the Stanford University Department of Public Safety for comment.