US university sexual assault allegations

Multiple United States universities, including Cornell and the University of Chicago, are facing scrutiny following reports of sexual assault involving fraternity culture. At Cornell University, a lawsuit alleges a woman was coerced into taking ketamine and subsequently gang-raped by members of the Chi Phi fraternity. While the Cornell Police Department did not pursue criminal charges, reports of a group chat involving 57 fraternity members discussing the unconscious victim have raised concerns regarding institutional accountability.

At the University of Chicago, a lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court alleges that Kevin Shim, a sophomore and member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman. The plaintiff alleges that Shim provided her with a shot that left her lightheaded before making nonconsensual sexual advances. Reports indicate that Shim’s social life on campus continued uninterrupted for months following the alleged incident until the lawsuit became public in October.

These incidents have prompted national debates regarding Title IX protections, campus safety, and the systemic nature of sexual violence within Greek life.