Cornell case puts New York’s progressive image at odds with its rape laws

Last month, a woman identified as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against Cornell University, the fraternity Chi Phi and the seven fraternity members she accused of gang-raping her on the night of October 19, 2024. Her allegations have triggered a nationwide reckoning in the United States over the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses. But the case has also reignited efforts to reform laws in the state of New York. While the left-leaning state has long presented itself as a leader in women’s rights, advocates say sexual assault survivors still face pervasive legal barriers when they seek justice.