Victim of vile Cornell University gang rape case targeted with 'disgusting' threats to abandon civil lawsuit

She alleges that alcohol and ketamine were involved in the assault, and claims to have reported the incident to Cornell University police two weeks later, where no charges were brought.

Instead, the victims were handed punishments by the university internally, including expulsion for some, and mere essay submissions for others alleged to have been involved.

Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell last month, alleging that the university failed to protect her, and did not adequately discipline the men she accused.

Thomas Giuffra, who represents the woman, said this afternoon that both his client and he had been subjected to threats since the lawsuit was filed.

"She's received multiple threats," Giuffra said on CNN, which he claimed were intended to pressure the woman into dropping her case.

Mr Giuffra said he had also been threatened, adding: "I'm not afraid of these people. But the threats, the abuse to protect what's going on, the status quo — these guys are disgusting. They should stay in their mother's basement and stay out of the world."

Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell last month, alleging that the university failed to protect her, and did not adequately discipline the men she accused

GETTY

The allegations have also prompted renewed scrutiny of Cornell's handling of sexual assault complaints, and the role of fraternities on campus.

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said in a video message yesterday that the university would examine the role of fraternities and sororities following the controversy.

"At their best, these organisations can provide students with friendship, belonging, mentorship and a powerful sense of community," he said.

"But being part of a group can never diminish individual responsibility."

The handling of the allegations by prosecutors in Tompkins County, New York, has also come under criticism.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to examine the case. President Donald Trump criticised the appointment, citing his longstanding opposition to Ms James.

"And I feel badly for whoever she's looking at because they won't get a fair shake," Mr Trump told reporters on Friday.

Asked about the president's remarks, Mr Giuffra said the case should not become a political dispute, stating: "It has nothing to do with politics."

Seven men associated with the university's Chi Phi fraternity stand accused of the rape over a period of seven hours

GETTY

Mr Kotlikoff has pledged that Cornell will examine its own response to the allegations. The university president said Cornell was "committed to investigating" how the case was handled, and acknowledged that the administration and wider campus community "must do better".

"We must foster a culture in which sexual assault is inexcusable and ensure our community is empowered and understands informed consent," he said.

He also said university leaders needed to create an environment in which victims could report sexual assault without fear.

Victims, he said, must "feel safe coming forward and are treated with compassion and dignity".

Mr Kotlikoff described the controversy as a "defining moment" for Cornell.

"We must lead the way, we owe it to Jane Doe and to survivors of assault to get this right. And we must keep each other safe," he said.

Fraternity members Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar have not been criminally charged, and stand to fight the case in civil court.

Two of the defendants, Kretzschmar and Norris, denied their involvement in statements to ABC News, either directly or through lawyers.