On October 21, 2024, Jane Doe received a text from a member of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University, apologizing for a night of excessive drinking, drug use, and group sex that had occurred at the fraternity house. Over the following weeks, Doe communicated with two fraternity members, expressing that most of what happened that night was not consensual. One of the men admitted he was too intoxicated to control the situation and apologized. Jane Doe’s lawyer described her messages as indicative of delayed recognition, a common response to sexual assault. Cornell’s Title IX investigation found both men responsible for sexual assault, leading to their expulsion, although they were not criminally charged. The district attorney chose not to pursue charges after a 2024 investigation. The text exchanges reveal the complexity of the situation and the emotional aftermath for those involved.
QUESTION: How might universities better support students in understanding and navigating consent in social situations?
New details in text messages between Jane Doe and frat members
