The sordid issue of rape has reared its sadistic presence with recent revelations in the wake of the Cornell 7 and LSU assaults. Both cases have resulted in a tsunami of outrage among people across race, gender, socioeconomic class, political affiliation, and geographic region. Information regarding both cases is still ongoing. Seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity at the prestigious Ivy League campus in upstate New York are now being sued by a Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe, who was “commanded” by one of the seven to snort ketamine off of his erect genitalia as the others sexually attacked her in October 2024, according to the Manhattan Supreme Court filing. More recently, LSU student Kendall Francis stated she was sexually assaulted and raped in an on-campus dorm on October 18, 2025, by a football player she met on social media. She went to a hospital the same day for a sexual assault nurse examiner exam and a rape kit.

Here is what the harrowing 101-page lawsuit, filed on September 14 in the Manhattan Supreme Court, alleges in the Cornell 7 case: Jane Doe, a 20-year-old student, went to a Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell in October 2024 after an evening out with her sorority sisters to see a friend - one of the seven accused. She said she was already drunk from a party at Cornell’s Tri-Delta house when one of the defendants suggested a threesome with two frat brothers. After she rejected his suggestion, he allegedly pressured her to snort ketamine for the first time in her life, while also ingesting marijuana and high-proof rum. At 1:42 am., another defendant sent a message to a Snapchat group called “Chi Phi Activities” that read “free pussy.” More men came to the room and joined in the assault, which included snorting lines of ketamine off her naked body.

The assault didn’t end until about 6 am. According to the complaint, her phone was on the other side of the room, and she felt that there was no way to escape. The lawsuit further stated that the accused only faced temporary suspensions and “were afforded the opportunity to mitigate their conduct by submitting essays” to the university - an allegation Cornell University denies. The named defendants in the lawsuit are Matthew In galls, Scott Kretzschmar, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Johnathan Newell, Scott Norris, and Diego Sarabia. The Chi Phi chapter to which they belonged was closed in 2024 and has been banned from the Ivy League university’s campus.

Simultaneously, a criminal investigation has been opened into an LSU football player, Damien Shanklin, who allegedly/reportedly raped another student, Kendall Francis, on campus last year. LSU’s Office of Civil Rights & Title IX found the player responsible for the rape but reduced his punishment following an appeal, citing the absence of “malice” or “force” and determining that the rape was “an error in judgment.” Yes, you read that correctly! What was disturbingly incredulous about the Cornell University situation is that none of the men who were in that group chat, but who did participate in the alleged offenses, did anything to prohibit such evil. “What happened to me was horrific and deeply disturbing,” Jane Doe told The Cornell Daily Sun. “Almost two years later, I still carry the weight of its impact every day and night.”

Some may call this an aberration or say my skepticism is premature, but what it is, in truth, is that we have seen this to be standard operating procedure. According to the American Psychological Association, 90 percent of campus sexual assaults go unreported. According to Gitnux, a data research firm, only 12 percent of assaults reported resulted in expulsion, and less than 7 percent result in criminal charges. These depressing and demoralizing statistics do not reflect a system that’s trying and falling short; they reflect a systemic failure to protect women. Is it any wonder why so many women decide to remain quiet and suffer in silence?!

In response to massive public outrage, Kyle Kimball, Cornell’s VP for University Relations, responded in a September 21 statement. “We take sexual violence extremely seriously. The Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault was launched shortly after this incident and issued a report in March 2026.” The report released in March of this year revealed that 35 percent of undergraduate female students at Cornell said they experienced non-consensual sexual contact in 2025 - up from 23 percent in 2023. Not surprisingly, a segment of the population has gone on the defensive declaring that such sadistic and abominable behavior by a few men does not represent all men. In fact, some conservatives have expressed sympathy for the young men and have challenged the character and motives of the young woman in question.

In response to the “not all men” argument. Duh?! No sane and sensible person has ever made such a blatant or blanket claim. But the fact is that just one, two, or a few men is still too many! Additionally, more often than not, the deafening silence among many men when such atrocities are inflicted upon women is nothing short of chilling. This is where the Greek idea of “brotherhood” becomes particularly noteworthy. Brotherhood is supposed to represent loyalty, friendship, and community.

Fraternities are, by inception, organizations founded on solid friendships. Such affinity can often create a powerful sense of belonging. Contrarily, it can also cultivate an environment where intentionally shielding fellow members from facing justice is a perverse priority. Cornell University, among other parties, is named as a defendant. According to Doe, the school’s police force did not fully investigate her allegations. And, she said, university officials gave only rudimentary discipline to her accused. In a statement, the university responded that “Any suggestion that the University did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false.”

Matthew Van Shouter, the Tompkins County DA, said in a statement that in Doe’s sworn testimony weeks after her alleged sexual assault, she “did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang raped.” But with renewed attention on the case, Van Houston announced on September 28 that he has reopened the investigation into what happened to Doe at the Chi Phi fraternity house. Attorneys for some of the accused men have already denied various allegations, including those involving drugs. More denials are likely to follow, and it will soon be the survivor who must defend herself, even though false accusations of rape are rare, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. The under-reporting of sexual violence is far more common.

Victims also report a complex range of emotional difficulties: isolation, anger, sadness, shame, guilt, and fear. Post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression and anxiety disorders are also common among victims. Thus, many women allow themselves to drown in harrowing feelings of mental anguish instead of speaking out. Hopefully, Jane Doe will seek the support she may require.

The grim facts are that sexual assault is a menacing social evil that is performed by men against women across all races, socioeconomic class, religion, profession, political persuasion etc. Its sole objective is domination. It is a vice that results in untold psychological issues - anger, depression, suicidal attempts and idealization, mental breakdowns, panic attacks, and other mental health issues - that can traumatize, affect, and in some cases damage victims for life. Such a vile and vicious act of sexual terrorism must be combated with unrelenting force, and those who engage in such sadistic and wicked disregard for the dignity and humanity of others must be held accountable and severely punished.

NOTE: For individuals who have been the victims of rape and sexual assault and wish to seek help, they can contact RAINN at either (202) - 544–1034 or 1- (800)-656-HOPE (4673) or by e-mail at [email protected].