Women standing in solidarity using Jane Doe moniker as people attempt to dox Cornell 7 rape victim

Women, some citing their own experiences of sexual assault, are posting on social media that they are Jane Doe, in solidarity with the woman using the pseudonym in accusing fraternity members of raping her at Cornell University in 2024.In a case that has drawn national attention, the woman is suing seven fraternity members and the Ivy League school in Ithaca, New York, among others.And although New York law allows “Jane Doe” anonymity for sexual assault lawsuits, the Cornell student has become distressed at attempts by some online skeptics of her account to discover her name and publish it, her lawyer said.“I want us to support Jane Doe in coming to her own way of identifying herself in her own time,” said Twanna LaTrice Hill, a writer and actor in Denver who has declared #IamJaneDoe on social media in recent days.“And if she never does, that’s fine.

But the flip side of that is that the people like me need to speak up if we are able to.”The woman, who was 20 at the time of the alleged 2024 gang rape, filed suit on September 16, prompting prosecutors to reopen a criminal investigation they had initially closed without charges.New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed the state’s attorney general as special prosecutor in the case and on Friday faulted police and prosecutors, saying they had not fully investigated the woman’s allegations.The accused men have denied all wrongdoing, the New York Times reported.

Cornell has defended its handling of the matter.Since the woman filed her lawsuit, some commentators have sought to learn and publish the accuser’s identity online, efforts that her lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, called an attempt to shame her.“She’s not doing well,” Giuffra told CNN.“She’s under siege on social media.”He said some women have been incorrectly identified as his client.

“That’s been really difficult,” he said.“And she’s gone through a lot.”Much of the online support for her has criticized independent jour...