Cornell professor defends alleged assault victim as state appoints special prosecutor

A civil lawsuit filed on September 16 by a former Cornell student alleging sexual assault by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity has intensified public scrutiny. Cornell philosophy professor Kate Manne, speaking on the Alex Cooper podcast Call Her Daddy, said she believes the plaintiff and condemned the tendency to question women who report misconduct. > "Rpe is always 100% the fault of the rpist, 0% of the victim," Manne said.

Manne also criticized the focus on the accused men’s futures, asking, "What about her future?" She described a rally on October 5 at Cornell’s Ho Plaza that drew thousands of students, faculty and staff in solidarity with the plaintiff, calling the atmosphere "inspiring" and noting a "crystallization of simmering rage on behalf of women."

Governor Kathy Hochul, who earlier said the victim had been "failed" by police and the district attorney, announced that Attorney General Letitia James would serve as a special prosecutor to review the case. Hochul said the appointment aims to ensure a thorough examination of all evidence.

The accused fraternity members have given differing accounts. Four acknowledge some intimate contact but claim it was consensual, while the remaining three deny involvement. One alleged that the plaintiff initiated contact, and another described the encounter as a three-way proposition. The New York Times reported that the men’s statements were provided to university officials earlier this month.

The controversy has sparked additional demonstrations, including a rally in Boston on October 8 attended by an estimated 800 supporters of the plaintiff. The case remains under investigation by the special prosecutor’s office.