**Content warning: This article contains sensitive content regarding rape and sexual assault**
In September 2026, the nation was disgusted to learn the details of a college sexual assault case, the perpetrators of which have now been dubbed The Cornell 7. The overwhelming response to the case has focused on the punishment the young men received: not much at all. The school allowed most of the offenders to walk away.
This incident has brought discussion around sexual assault and the punishment for its offenders to the forefront of the conversation, but this is a conversation we have all the time. While this case has gained national attention, colleges still severely underreact to reports of assault all the time without the public backlash.
So, what changes need to be made?
The Cornell 7 Case
On Sept. 16, 2026, a civil lawsuit was filed by the victim, Jane Doe. The 101-page case details the events that took place in October 2024. The case alleges that after being brought to the Chi Phi fraternity house, Jane Doe was drugged and then repeatedly sexually assaulted by seven members of the fraternity. The suit also shows photo evidence that the assault was broadcast to a group chat with 50 other members.
Two of the seven men involved in the assault were expelled from campus. The rest were given the punishment of writing an essay and attending workshops. Seven hours of repeated assault equated to an essay.
While Cornell and the seven young men involved in the case are now facing intense public backlash for the situation, it’s too late. Jane Doe was forced to drop out of school, while multiple of her abusers stayed enrolled.
This case isn’t just a reflection of the gross mishandling of sexual assault that plagues most universities, but also the emphasis our society puts on fraternity culture as a whole. Unfortunately, this case isn’t one in a million. So, if this is a consistent problem when it comes to fraternities, why hasn’t anything been done?
The Culture of “The Brotherhood”
When you’re in a fraternity, you’re with your brothers. Your brothers protect you, which is why rape culture and fraternity culture continue to become synonymous with each other. Multiple studies have shown that the environment of a fraternity promotes acts of sexual assault. In fact, studies have found that men in fraternities are three times more likely to commit sexual assault.
If this is such a prominent issue, why is such a heavy emphasis placed on this culture? Well, it all goes back to the phrase we’ve all heard, and all hate: boys will be boys. Fraternities’ actions of assault are often undermined as just being part of the experience of the brotherhood. The drinking, the partying, the wild antics, even the assault is chalked up to just part of the ride. They’re just boys being boys, doing what they do.
If boys will always be just boys, when will they be accountable?
As I said before, this isn’t a rare occurrence. Cases like this happen all over the country all the time with the same underwhelming response. Just because it doesn’t make national headlines doesn’t mean it isn’t still happening all the time at every college around the country.
Why it matters In COllege Life
Fraternity culture is so intimately integrated with the social scene, especially at schools such as FSU, and unfortunately, so is rape culture. In a 2023 report by WFSU News, 33 instances of drink spiking were reported at FSU during the “Red Zone” period. 12 of those reports were linked back to one singular frat house. One house, 12 instances that we know of.
The house was investigated, but never put on probation or suspended for these incidents. They’re still allowed to host functions and other events, despite it being widely known on campus that they still have a reputation for this.
Attending fraternity parties on a college campus doesn’t increase the risk of sexual assault. Drinking doesn’t increase the risk of sexual assault. What increases the risk of sexual assault is not holding those responsible for these acts accountable. Letting these seven men walk away with just an essay in hand perpetuates the message that this action has no real consequences. It makes it seem acceptable, not reprehensible.
While there are seven men named in the lawsuit, there are many more who should also be held accountable. The 50 others in the group chat who did nothing. The administrators who chose to let them off. The abusers who came before them who faced no consequences.
Jane Doe isn’t one woman in one case. Jane Doe is countless other women on college campuses who had claims of abuse thrown out and ignored. Jane Doe is every woman who wasn’t able to come forward. Jane Doe will continue to exist if we continue not to educate and reform.
If you or anybody you know has experienced sexual assault or violence, some resources include the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the National Sexual Assault Hotline, and TPD Victim Advocacy.
SEXUAL ASSAULT: If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit hotline.rainn.org.
MENTAL HEALTH: If you or someone you know is seeking help for mental health concerns, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website, or call 1-800-950-NAMI(6264). For confidential treatment referrals, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website, or call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP(4357). In an emergency, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or call 911.
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