Florence Pugh Condemns Alleged Sexual Assault by Cornell Fraternity Members

Florence Pugh condemned allegations that a former Cornell University student, identified in a lawsuit as Jane Doe, was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven Chi Phi fraternity members in 2024. Doe is suing the university, fraternity-related entities and the students, alleging Cornell failed to protect her and responded inadequately; the allegations have not been adjudicated, and an attorney for one defendant has denied them. The district attorney’s office said its review found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges, while Cornell declined to disclose individual disciplinary outcomes, citing student privacy laws. Pugh said the claims left her feeling “uneasy and sick and anxious,” urged men to speak out against sexual violence and complicity, criticized institutions she believes protect accused men over women’s safety, and expressed support for Doe while calling for greater accountability and safety.
The lawsuit alleges the woman was drugged with ketamine before the assault.
A text attributed to a Snapchat group called “Chi Phi Actives” allegedly invited fraternity members upstairs with the phrase “free p**** upstairs.”
According to the lawsuit as reported, the woman said she reported the assault to campus police about three weeks later; her attorney alleged that only two of the seven accused students were expelled, while others received lesser sanctions such as essays or workshops.
Pugh questioned whether the alleged attack had been planned in advance, asking whether the harm to the woman had been “thought about over and over before.”
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