Cornell rape allegations lead to renewed scrutiny of laws on intoxication and consent
The district attorney reopened the case after a civil lawsuit said the woman was drugged and assaulted, renewing debate over intoxication and consent rules.
- Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten declined to pursue criminal charges in a 2024 Cornell University fraternity gang-rape case, citing state laws requiring proof of force or involuntary incapacitation.
- New York is one of 19 states where rape laws classify victims as mentally incapacitated only if they were drugged without consent, creating a 'voluntary intoxication loophole' that complicates prosecutions.
- Stefan Turkheimer, vice president of public policy for RAINN, labeled the legal standard 'straight-up victim blaming,' warning that it deters victims from coming forward and prevents prosecutors from pursuing severe incapacitation cases.
- State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz slammed stalled reform proposals as 'outrageous,' declaring the Cornell case represents 'exactly the type of situation this legislation would address,' as Van Houten reopened the investigation.
- Minnesota, Michigan, and Texas updated sexual assault laws to allow charges regardless of how intoxication occurred, a shift Dr. Chinmoy Gulrajani argues is necessary because the assailant should know the victim lacks capacity to consent.
39 Articles
39 Articles
Cornell gang rape allegation leads to renewed scrutiny of laws on intoxication and consent
A woman’s account of being sexually assaulted at a Cornell University fraternity house has advocates and lawmakers renewing their criticism of a New York law that makes it more difficult to prosecute people who have taken advantage of others too intoxicated to consent to sex.
Cornell student assault allegations highlight NY voluntary intoxication loophole
New York lawmakers are renewing efforts to close a state legal loophole regarding voluntary intoxication and sexual consent following allegations involving a Cornell University fraternity.
Grim new details revealed in Cornell student’s account of alleged gang rape: ‘Instantly horrified’
The Cornell student at the center of an alleged gang rape at a fraternity house described how the events of that night "felt like coercion" in a report to a campus police officer at the time.
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Connect FM | Local News Radio | Dubois, PACornell student who made rape allegations said sexual encounters ‘felt like coercion’ in 2024 statement
(NEW YORK) - A Cornell University student detailed the night that she was allegedly sexually assaulted in a statement to police two years ago - describing that she was felt incapacitated, saying she declined to participate in some of the sexual activity and that the [...]
Cornell student who made rape allegations said sexual encounters 'felt like coercion' in 2024 statement
A Cornell University student detailed the night that she was allegedly sexually assaulted in a statement to police two years ago — describing that she was felt incapacitated, saying she declined to participate in some of the sexual activity and…
Cornell ‘rape’ case: Shocking twist as DA reveals campus police failed to share key evidence, ‘this is news to me’
The Cornell sexual assault investigation reveals that campus law enforcement failed to provide the DA with a complete statement from the alleged victim.
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