Ithaca Council Urges Cornell to Share Sexual Assault Data with Local Police
Ithaca city council demands Cornell University share sexual assault investigations with local police after viral rape allegations. New York governor criticiz...
POLICY WIRE — Ithaca, United States — Ithaca city officials have urged Cornell University to provide local law enforcement with details of sexual and violent crime investigations following a recent vote by the city council. The decision came as a high-profile gang-rape allegation involving a former student sparked national attention.
The Cornell University Police Department has not shared its investigation into a 2024 incident with the Ithaca Police Department. A former student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit last month detailing the allegations and criticizing the university’s response. The city council also voted to temporarily halt events at affiliated student organizations, citing public safety concerns, with the restriction set to expire on November 5 unless extended.
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A resolution passed with a 9-1 vote, though no enforcement mechanism was outlined. Cornell has not commented, citing ongoing legal matters. Recent surveys show that over 35% of female undergraduates at Cornell reported nonconsensual sexual contact in the past year, up from 23% in 2023. The university police and local district attorney face scrutiny over how the case was handled. New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the lack of action, calling for a full review of the investigation.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
