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Cornell university: a wake up call for men to speak up against violence and misogyny

Posted by Jenni James on 2 October 2026

The reopening of an investigation alleged sexual assault of a female student at a Cornell University Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024 has sparked widespread discussion online in recent weeks. The alleged victim, who remains anonymous and is referred to as Jane Doe, has brought a new civil lawsuit against the university, providing an 101-page statement describing how she was raped over the course of several hours by seven male students.

Jane Doe alleges that she went to the fraternity house intending to meet a male friend. She says that in the hours that followed, multiple men from the fraternity coerced her into having sex when she was clearly unable to properly consent: “I felt like I was unable to make any decision because of how intoxicated I was…they should have known how intoxicated I was based on how I was slurring my words.”

It’s deeply distressing, not least because the evidence presented in this new case suggests that a significant number of other male students were aware of what was happening, but chose not to intervene. Purported screenshots from the Chi Phi group chat show messages inviting members to pursue ‘free’ sexual activity with Jane Doe. 57 men were part of this group chat. Only seven are alleged to have committed assault, but there seems to have been no objection from the other 50 male students. 

Acts of sexual violence aren’t just the result of individuals deciding to commit violent acts: they rely on a surrounding culture that accepts and normalises abuse. 

Maybe the men in that group chat, or others at the party, didn’t think that they could make a difference. Maybe they were worried about standing out from the crowd. This assumption – everyone else is okay with what’s happening, so I shouldn’t say anything – is a huge part of what enables Violence Against Women and Girls to carry on unchecked. If no one speaks up, each person assumes they’re in the minority for thinking what’s happening is wrong. Abuse becomes normal and acceptable, and perpetrators go on unchallenged. I wonder how things might have been different had just one person replied: “That’s not okay. Let’s help her get home safely”. 

It might seem like a drop in the ocean, but small acts like this are essential in preventing sexual assault and violence. By choosing to speak out, we give other people permission to speak out too – and that’s how culture change happens. 

To effectively prevent VAWG, this needs to start before things have escalated to the point of violence. Rape culture is fed by smaller acts: sexist jokes, objectification, things that might seem ‘harmless’ in the moment. When unchallenged, these behaviours foster a deeper misogyny and entitlement that allows perpetrators of abuse and sexual violence to feel that their behaviour is normal and justified. If we challenge them in the first instance, we disrupt Violence Against Women and Girls at the earliest possible stage. 

So this is our direct appeal to men: use your voice to stand up for women and girls. Do this before something extreme is happening. Challenge the misogynistic jokes, the videos online, the subtle objectification that seems insignificant. It might feel uncomfortable in the moment, but chances are when you raise your voice, you’ll find other people join you – they were just waiting for someone to be the first to say something. In this way, you’ll be helping to change the culture that has normalised VAWG, keeping women and girls safe from harm.