Last month, a woman known only as ‘Jane Doe’ filed a lawsuit that claims she was drugged and gang-raped by seven students at a fraternity house in 2024. For many women, the investigation into the alleged rape of this student at Cornell University, New York, has been not just a news story, but a reminder of their own trauma.
In legal documents, Doe says, ‘Almost two years later, I still carry the weight of its impact every day and night.’ Her statement has struck a chord with many victims: stories of sexual assault may come and go from the news cycle, but those who’ve lived through it carry the weight for much longer.
It’s not just the Cornell case. There seems to be a steady stream of stories detailing crimes against women. For sexual assault survivors – that’s one in four women in the UK – this widespread coverage can be re-traumatising.
‘To survive being raped is to relive being raped each and every time you hear of someone else being raped,’ wrote model and activist Munroe Bergdorf in a post on Instagram earlier this month, in which she shared her own story of being stalked and assaulted. ‘Physically, I was able to get away, but a part of me died in that room. No matter how many years pass, or how much therapy I have, I will never be able to unsee it, unfeel it, or undo it,’ she said.
‘No matter how many years pass, I will never be able to unsee it, unfeel it, or undo it’
A feeling of injustice gives these stories an extra sting. When Jane Doe filed her original complaint to Cornell University, two weeks after the alleged incident, no criminal charges were filed. Doe’s lawyer has said that only two of the men involved were expelled as a result, with the others given ‘punishments’ including suspension, workshops and writing essays.
In England and Wales, fewer than three in 100 rapes recorded by police in 2024 resulted in someone being charged that same year. Survivors are all too familiar with these institutional failings. ‘Exposure to such a relentless slew of media reports that often end in injustice or inaction is traumatic for us all,’ explained Bergdorf. ‘But for survivors, it is to be confronted with the fear, pain, anger and isolation that they felt when it happened to them.’
Many have found community in speaking up. In the wake of the Cornell story breaking, survivors are declaring ‘I am Jane Doe’ on social media and on placards in the streets, in a #MeToo style reckoning. These women hope that by sharing their own stories, they can support and help shield the alleged victim.
‘The bravery of the women who have spoken out is incredible and will go a long way to bringing about much-needed change,’ says Veronica Oakeshott, head of external affairs at charity group Women’s Aid. ‘Not everyone will want to talk about their experiences, but if you do feel able to talk, we encourage you to do so. Misogyny lies at the heart of many of these hideous crimes – it thrives on silence, and eradicating it holds the key to building a society in which women and children are safe.’
If you, or someone you know, is finding it difficult to cope with the recent news, there is support available. ‘You can reach out to any of our direct services, or other charities, such as Rape Crisis, to receive trauma-informed advice,’ says Oakeshott. ‘You can also visit our Survivors’ Forum, an anonymous space for survivors of domestic abuse to speak to each other, share their experiences and receive support from others.’