Cornell rarely expels students in sex assault cases | Exclusive

More than 1,200 incidents of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence and stalking were reported to Cornell University’s Title IX office from 2018 through 2024, USA TODAY found in an exclusive analysis of data the school reported to New York state.

Of those, Cornell filed disciplinary charges against an accused student or employee in 162 cases. It found at least one of them at fault in 51.

Most of those found responsible received minor sanctions that allowed them to remain on campus, such as probation or training, the data show.

Fourteen cases resulted in suspensions.

Seven ended in expulsion or dismissal.

When schools issue lenient punishments for violent offenses, it can create an environment where fewer survivors feel reporting is worthwhile, said Nicole Bedera, a sociologist who researches institutional responses to campus sexual misconduct – which can in turn fuel more violence.

“Those numbers strike me that there’s been an erosion of trust,” Bedera said of Cornell’s data. “If perpetrators know that nothing is going to happen to them, then they feel less inhibited in acting violently. If there’s no check on that violence, it just grows and grows.”

Cornell is under fire and facing a federal lawsuit over allegations…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/