Olivia Rodrigo Demands Accountability From Cornell After Alleged Assault

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Olivia Rodrigo is speaking out as Cornell University faces mounting scrutiny over its handling of an alleged gang rape. The “good 4 u” singer shared a blistering message supporting the woman at the center of the case, calling for accountability after allegations that seven fraternity members sexually assaulted her in 2024. Rodrigo’s statement comes as New York’s attorney general takes over the criminal investigation and Cornell’s president publicly addresses questions about the university’s response.

Olivia Rodrigo Says ‘I Stand With Jane Doe’

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Rodrigo addressed the allegations in an Instagram Stories post on Saturday, October 3, according to Us Weekly. “Shame on Cornell and on every institution who protects rapists and abusers over women,” she wrote. “I stand with Jane Doe. Her bravery reverberates across the country and the crimes against her will not go unpunished.”

The singer also criticized those she believes failed to help the woman, whose identity has been withheld in the civil lawsuit. “What she lived through matters, and so does the failure of those who could have intervened but chose not to. She deserves answers, consequences, and lasting change.”

Rodrigo’s comments followed renewed attention to the alleged assault and the initial investigations. The woman’s lawsuit has raised questions about Cornell’s and local authorities’ response, while her attorney has spoken publicly about why she ultimately left the university.

The Lawsuit Alleges Seven Fraternity Members Assaulted A Student

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In a civil lawsuit filed September 16, the woman identified as Jane Doe alleged that she was sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house on October 19, 2024. According to Us Weekly’s account of the filing, Doe claimed she was pressured to snort ketamine, smoke marijuana, and consume alcohol before seven fraternity members allegedly raped her.

The complaint alleged that the encounter initially involved two fraternity members before others became involved following a message in a Snapchat group chat. Doe reported the alleged assault weeks later, but the initial investigation did not result in criminal charges. Her lawsuit also challenged the university’s disciplinary response.

The accused men have denied wrongdoing. The allegations are now the subject of a renewed criminal investigation, separate from Doe’s civil lawsuit.

Doe eventually dropped out of Cornell. Her attorney, Thomas Giuffra, has described the toll the alleged assault and its aftermath took on her, including the difficulty of remaining at the school she had worked for years to attend.

• Florence Pugh raised concerns about Instagram censorship while reacting to the “sick” alleged rape at Cornell.
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Jane Doe’s Attorney Says The Case ‘Upended Her Life’

Giuffra discussed his client’s condition during an interview with NBC News reporter Maggie Vespa, shared Saturday, October 3. “[Jane Doe is] not well,” he said. “This has upended her life in such a tragic way.”

He explained that attending Cornell’s hotel school had long been a dream for Doe, who came from a community where attending an Ivy League university was uncommon.

“She comes from a small town. Her dream, from when she was a little girl, was to go to the Cornell [Nolan] Hotel School, this was her desire. She worked very hard, she came from an area where people were not going to Ivy League schools. This was an area where people went local or they didn’t go to school at all. And this was her dream, she went there, she was betrayed by two friends. She went to withdraw, she couldn’t withdraw without costing her parents a lot of money. She had to stay there, and then ultimately she couldn’t take it anymore, and her mother was up there constantly, and she had to leave.”

His account of Doe’s experience comes as the case draws attention beyond campus, including Rodrigo’s public demand for answers and consequences.

Letitia James Takes Over The Investigation As Trump Criticizes Her Appointment

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James’ office as special prosecutor on October 1 to investigate the alleged October 2024 sexual assault. The attorney general’s office confirmed the appointment in an official announcement that day, following Hochul’s executive order.

President Donald Trump criticized the decision while speaking to reporters outside the White House on October 2. “Letitia James is a corrupt person,” Trump said. “She’s totally corrupt, and I can’t imagine it. And I feel badly for whoever she’s looking at.”

Trump also said the accused students “won’t get a fair shake” with James overseeing the investigation.

Cornell’s President Calls The Allegations ‘Deeply Disturbing’

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff addressed the case in a video statement Saturday, acknowledging both the allegations and questions surrounding the investigation. “What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come,” he said. “My heart aches when I think of what she experienced.”

Kotlikoff said the case “raises heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use. It also raises questions around the investigation conducted after the allegations were reported.”

Cornell’s board of trustees will bring in an outside law firm to conduct an independent review of the university’s handling of the allegations, according to PEOPLE. Kotlikoff also expressed support for the attorney general’s criminal investigation.

The university’s response and the renewed investigation arrive nearly two years after the alleged assault. Rodrigo has publicly backed Doe as her civil case continues, calling for “answers, consequences, and lasting change.”

The Olivia Rodrigo Demands Accountability From Cornell After Alleged Assault first appeared on The Blast