Olivia Rodrigo Backs Jane Doe After Alleged Cornell Gang Rape: What We Know

Olivia Rodrigo is speaking out in support of a woman known as Jane Doe, who is suing Cornell University over an alleged gang rape by seven Chi Phi fraternity brothers at the fraternity house in October 2024. In a post on her Instagram Stories, Rodrigo wrote,“Shame on Cornell and on every institution who protects rapists and abusers over women.”The civil lawsuit claims the assault followed a night of drinking, and Jane Doe later dropped out of Cornell. Her attorney says she is not well.

The case has raised hard questions about campus accountability. According to the lawsuit, none of the men faced criminal charges. Two were suspended, while others wrote essays or attended workshops. That outcome drew criticism long before Rodrigo amplified it, and it’s a big reason this story has kept growing.

This week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directed the attorney general to take over the criminal investigation, and Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff released a video statement calling the case deeply disturbing and saying it will weigh heavily on the community for years. The state takeover signals this is far from over. What do you think: should it take a celebrity’s post to push a case like this forward?