Cornell's Jane Doe, 20, was assaulted by seven men on Oct. 19, 2024, and is now the target of a nationwide online campaign to identify her.
Attorney Thomas Giuffra said the victim was incapacitated by ketamine and could not consent, a claim that underpins the civil lawsuit filed last month. Women across the country have posted videos titled "I am Jane Doe," sharing their own assault stories to shield her identity and show solidarity.
The campaign intensified after commentator Brittany Murphy pledged to expose Doe’s name, arguing anonymity was unfair to the men who were publicly named. A U.S. Marine Corps sergeant sharing a name with one of the alleged assailants was mistakenly served with the lawsuit, sparking a torrent of abuse and threats.
No criminal charges were initially filed, but the civil case revived the probe. Governor Kathy Hochul has handed the investigation to Attorney General Letitia James, who will now decide whether to pursue criminal charges.
The case has ignited a broader debate about victim anonymity and the power of social media to both protect and expose. Community leaders say the online defense effort reflects a growing demand for accountability in campus sexual assault cases.