High school and university students across Illinois recently organized demonstrations to demand an end to sexual violence and stronger protections for victims, sparked by the Cornell sexual assault protest movement. Student protests took place on October 8 at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), while hundreds of students at Lincoln Park High School also walked out of classes to march for accountability and victim solidarity.
This wave of demonstrations was reignited after allegations surfaced that a woman was sexually assaulted by seven male students at a Cornell University fraternity party in 2024. The victim, known by the pseudonym ‘Jane Doe,’ filed a civil lawsuit last month. Although the incident did not initially lead to criminal charges, the case has been reopened, and the New York Attorney General has appointed a special prosecutor. Reports indicate that one South Korean student is allegedly involved in the case.
Students emphasized that sexual violence is a systemic societal issue and stressed that victims must be provided with safe environments to speak out. Meanwhile, Resilience, a Chicago-based sexual assault support organization, noted that while peer exchange and shared experiences can be helpful, the personal choices of individuals who are not yet ready to speak publicly or report must be fully respected.
