No doubt many of you have heard of the horrific 2024 rape at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
An investigation into an alleged fraternity gang rape has been reopened not due to new evidence or criminal charges being brought forward, but due to immense public outrage over a recent civil suit filed by the accuser. She states that she was drugged with alcohol, marijuana and ketamine and raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity. One of the frat members allegedly posted in a group chat where the victim was, using a vulgar term for female genitalia and inviting others to join. A Cornell task force in 2025 reported that among undergrads, 35% of women and 8% of men experienced sexual assault during their time at Cornell.
Some of the frat boys were suspended, and two were expelled. No criminal charges were filed. The alleged actions were born from toxic masculinity, a cultural concept that describes rigid and socially destructive norms such as hyper-aggression and the need for dominance and control, and patriarchy, a social system where men hold primary power and control the social narrative. And how about the shocking response of complicity on the part of the (male) Cornell University Police Department and (male) administrators? Boys will be boys, after all.
Why did none of the frat members speak up during the incident? Why did not one or two or three but seven men participate? Why did none of the nonparticipating frat boys who witnessed it or saw the social media posts during the incident ever speak up? Why didn’t the Cornell Police bring criminal charges? Were these frat boys being protected to avoid unpleasant exposure that could derail their Ivy League futures?
And as for the future of the victim? Deep and lasting trauma, shame (from being shamed), PTSD, as well as a host of other physical and psychological impacts.
For the Epsteinth time, why does our culture allow men to get away with these kinds of behaviors?
Cate Woolner
Gill