ITHACA, NY (Spectrum News) — Oct. 19 marks two years to the day since Jane Doe’s alleged gang rape at Cornell University.
After Cornell’s investigation, the accused students were given several different sanctions, including expulsions, suspensions and writing essays.
Jane Doe, however, did not give up in her push for justice. This past September, almost two years later, she filed a civil lawsuit, which brought the case into the national spotlight and led to the criminal case being reopened.
Liv Serkoski, an Ithaca resident, says she admires Jane Doe’s bravery for not standing down.
“I think it takes a lot of fight for a woman to not give up,” Serkoski said. “And I think a lot of women and like young girls, need to be taught that we have the ability to fight, that socialized men aren’t more powerful than we are.”
Because Jane Doe refused to stand down, others have been standing up. Since the civil suit was filed, the case has gained international media attention and sparked a rallying call for justice for all survivors, as well as a push for legislative change.
Partner and CEO with Tully Rinckey PLLC, Michael Macomber, says the response from lawmakers so far has been an interesting part of the case.
“What has been very eye-opening with the Cornell Seven case is the response to the loopholes, as we, are referring to it, the evidentiary burden in New York and the public outcry for addressing this issue,” Macomber explained. “Now, that puts it on the legislature to go about and actually change the law to, something different in the future there, and the real test of time is going to be whether or not the lawmakers are going to respond to something like that.”
Cornell has taken some steps to address the issue of sexual assault on its campus, including banning all fraternity parties through the end of the year and improving support for survivors.
