Women Rally as 'Jane Doe' in Solidarity Amid Online Doxing Attempts
Social media users adopt the pseudonym to support a Cornell University rape accuser facing efforts to reveal her identity.
Women are expressing solidarity with a Cornell University student who is using the pseudonym "Jane Doe" in a lawsuit accusing fraternity members of rape, by adopting the moniker themselves on social media. These actions come as some online individuals are attempting to uncover and publicize the accuser's identity, a move her lawyer describes as an effort to shame her.
The lawsuit, filed on September 16, involves accusations of a 2024 gang rape. The accuser, who was 20 at the time of the alleged incident, is suing seven fraternity members and Cornell University. The case has drawn national attention, prompting prosecutors to reopen a criminal investigation that had previously been closed without charges. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed the state's attorney general as a special prosecutor, criticizing the initial handling of the allegations by police and prosecutors.
The accused fraternity members have denied all wrongdoing, according to reports. Cornell University has defended its actions in managing the case.
Lawyer Thomas Giuffra stated that his client is experiencing distress due to the online attempts to identify her. "She's under siege on social media," Giuffra told CNN, adding that some individuals have been mistakenly identified as his client, which has been difficult for her.
Efforts to unmask the accuser have been criticized by many, including those participating in the #IamJaneDoe movement. Amee Vanderpool, a Substack newsletter publisher, publicly declared herself as Jane Doe, a sentiment echoed by others seeking to protect the accuser's privacy and offer support. Twanna LaTrice Hill, a writer and actor in Denver, has also shared her own experiences of sexual assault and adopted the #IamJaneDoe hashtag, advocating for the accuser to control her own narrative.
Some of the online support for the accuser has targeted independent journalist Michael Tracey, who has expressed sympathy for the accused men and questioned the accounts of victims in other high-profile cases. Tracey described his efforts to identify the accuser as journalistic diligence protected by free speech. On social media, he posted what he believed to be her name but later deleted it, stating his point had been made and asking for no harassment of the accuser or her family.
Katy Jacobson, a San Diego resident, noted that the #IamJaneDoe hashtag can help survivors of sexual assault feel less isolated. "Because oftentimes you feel like you're on an island," Jacobson said. Statistics indicate that approximately 21% of women in the U.S. report being survivors of completed or attempted rape, according to the CDC. A 2025 university survey found that 35% of undergraduate women at Cornell reported experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact since arriving on campus, an increase from 20% in 2021.
Resources such as RAINN, which operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, are being shared by individuals participating in the solidarity movement. The hotline can be reached at 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673).