Ithaca city council calls on Cornell to report sexual assault investigations to local police

Key Points:

• The Ithaca City Council voted nearly unanimously to require the Cornell University Police Department to hand over sex and violent crime investigations to the Ithaca Police Department, following a high-profile gang-rape allegation by a former Cornell student.
• The former student, Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit accusing the university and its police of inadequate response to her 2024 rape allegation, which has sparked national attention and scrutiny.
• The council also imposed a temporary suspension on new assemblies, parades, and special events for Cornell-affiliated student organizations, including fraternities, citing public safety concerns, with the moratorium set to expire on November 5 unless extended.
• Over 35% of female undergraduates at Cornell reported experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact involving force or incapacitation in a recent survey, up significantly from 23% in 2023, highlighting ongoing campus safety issues.
• The handling of the investigation by Cornell police and the local district attorney has come under criticism, as key statements from Jane Doe indicating she was raped were reportedly omitted from the initial police summary used to decide against pressing charges.