The Ithaca Police Department is encouraging victims of sexual assualts to report it.
The Ithaca Police Department is encouraging victims of sexual assaults to report them.
The police department's message comes as an alleged rape case stemming from a Cornell University fraternity unfolds. On Monday, the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office said it's reviewing an alleged rape at the Chi Phi fraternity.
"Jane Doe," in her civil complaint, claims she was raped by seven members of the fraternity in the early morning hours of Oct. 20, 2024. She said that drugs and alcohol were involved.
The Ithaca Police Department said on Monday that it was "disturbed" to hear about the allegations. The department noted that it has learned about the alleged incident through the media and that the case was never reported to them.
"We understand these allegations are being taken very seriously by Cornell University and the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office," the department said. "We encourage members of our community to report allegations to the Ithaca Police Department."
The 101-page civil complaint was filed in September. The nightmarish lawsuit details that Jane Doe, a former Cornell student who was 20 years old at the time, experienced heinous acts of sexual violence and drug abuse perpetrated by multiple Cornell fraternity brothers.
Alpha Beta House Corporation, Delta Delta Delta sorority, Moonies Bar & Nightclub, and several other individuals, including Alumni advisors, are also named in the lawsuit.
Chi Phi fraternity was closed in 2024. Cornell University said it remained barred from campus.
The Ithaca Police Department said anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or knows someone who has may contact them at 607-272-3245 or call 911.
