Florence Pugh speaks out on Cornell sexual assault case: “This is soul murder”

New York prosecutors have reopened a two-year-old case involving a student identified as Jane Doe, who says she was drugged and gang-raped by members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University. She says the institution did not do enough to protect her — a failure that forced her to abandon her studies. Doe is now suing seven students, along with the faculty and the fraternity.

According to Harper’s Bazaar, actress Florence Pugh brought the case to wider public attention through an Instagram post, saying the platform tried to block her message from reaching the right people. She described the events as horrific, voiced her disgust, and called for men to be just as shaken and to engage in conversations that change tolerance of such behavior. Pugh called rape “soul murder” and praised those on campus who are supporting the victim and exposing those responsible.

When Doe reported the incident to Cornell University Police in October 2024, the report brought no criminal charges. According to her lawyer, two students were expelled, while others received temporary suspensions or assignments such as essays. The civil lawsuit filed recently contains more disturbing details about the assault, and the case will now go before a grand jury. The incident has drawn national attention and is part of the broader debate on safety and accountability on university campuses.

Harper’s Bazaar notes that the public reactions have fueled discussion about collective behavior and the need for a harsher response to abuse. Anyone affected by sexual assault can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or seek support at rainn.org.