'Shame on Cornell': Olivia Rodrigo Backs Gang-Rape Accuser and Blasts Institutions for Protecting Abusers

Olivia Rodrigo has condemned Cornell University's handling of sexual assault allegations, declaring 'Shame on Cornell' as she publicly backed the former student identified as Jane Doe.

'Shame on Cornell and on every institution who protects rapists and abusers over women,' the singer wrote on Instagram Stories on 3 October 2026, according to Us Weekly. 'I stand with Jane Doe. Her bravery reverberates across the country and the crimes against her will not go unpunished.'

Rodrigo Calls for 'Lasting Change'

Rodrigo's statement also criticised those she said had failed to intervene, while calling for accountability and changes beyond the individual case.

'What she lived through matters, and so does the failure of those who could have intervened but chose not to,' she continued. 'She deserves answers, consequences, and lasting change.'

The singer's comments followed a civil lawsuit concerning an alleged assault at Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. Her condemnation came as the university defended its disciplinary response and New York authorities took over a reopened criminal investigation.

Cornell has said it conducted a comprehensive investigation and imposed sanctions. No criminal charges have been filed against the seven men named in the lawsuit; the civil case remains unresolved, and lawyers for several defendants have denied wrongdoing.

Jane Doe's Allegations and the Investigation

ane Doe alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi house on 19 October 2024, when she was 20. Her lawsuit names Cornell, seven former students associated with the fraternity and other defendants.

The case has been widely discussed online as the 'Cornell 7', although the allegations and disciplinary findings differ among the men. Some defendants deny participating in sexual activity, rather than asserting that all activity was consensual.

According to the complaint, Doe consumed alcohol and was pressured to take drugs, including ketamine, before becoming incapacitated. She reported the incident to Cornell University Police in November 2024.

A transcript obtained by CBS News records her telling investigators: 'I can say with 100% confidence I was raped.'

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten subsequently said he had not seen that transcript. He had characterised her signed statement as describing voluntary and consensual activity when explaining why his office initially declined to pursue charges.

Cornell said its police department had provided prosecutors with Doe's signed statement and a screenshot of a Snapchat conversation.

Cornell Defends Its Disciplinary Response

Disciplinary summaries reviewed by The New York Times show that Cornell expelled two of the men, suspended two and imposed lesser sanctions on three. One of those three had already graduated and was barred from campus.

The university has denied that written essays were the sole consequence imposed on any individual. It said its response included a months-long Title IX investigation and hearings, separate from the criminal inquiry.

Cornell president Michael Kotlikoff addressed the case in a video statement on 3 October, describing the allegations as 'deeply disturbing' and acknowledging distrust within the university community.

He supported an independent review by an outside law firm into Cornell's handling of the case and said the university would take 'a serious look' at fraternities and sororities. Cornell said the Chi Phi chapter remained barred from campus.

Letitia James Takes Over Criminal Investigation

Van Houten announced that his office was reopening the criminal investigation on 28 September. On 1 October, Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James's office as special prosecutor.

Hochul said newly released information had raised serious questions about the original investigation and undermined her confidence in the local prosecutor's handling of it.

The appointment gives the attorney general's office responsibility for investigating and, if warranted, prosecuting offences connected with the allegations, including presenting evidence to a grand jury.

James said her office's investigation would be guided by the facts and the law.