Feminist Analysis of Recent News Events….
Local News
Reintroduction of Campus Sexual Assault Bills
On October 1st, 2026, Virginia’s US Senator, Tim Kaine, and U.S. Representative, Debbie Dingle, proposed two bills aimed at preventing sexual assault and harassment on college campuses; as well, these bills would provide better on-campus resources and support for survivors.
1st Bill – The SUCCESS Act
- “Support for Universities and Colleges to Champion the Educational Success of Survivors”
- Provide ample resources for victims, including mental health services, higher education re-entry, and academic accommodations (i.e., tutors)
- Increased training and education for both faculty and students on campus
2nd Bill – The SOS Act
- “Survivor Outreach and Support”
- Reallocates funding on Virginia campuses for survivors
- Funds an independent advocate (someone who would aid in prevention and response)
Although these bills would surely aid survivors of sexual assault, we noticed that they’re geared entirely towards the aftermath of an incident (not pre-prevention). That being stated, we ask you to consider these questions:
- How could these bills be revised to prevent sexual assault and harassment from occurring beforehand? How else could funding be dispersed to specifically support prevention?
- Are you aware of the active resources near you? If so, what does your area offer in terms of both prevention (before) and survivor needs (after)?
National News
Update on the Cornell 7 Case
A quick background about the case:
On October 19th, 2024, a female student from Cornell University reported a sexual assault (gang rape) by seven members of the Chi Phi Fraternity. While the victim initially consented to a threesome with two of the men, she later revoked consent as the sexual activities escalated. After two weeks passed following the incident, Jane Doe informed on-campus police.
Based on Cornell University’s three-person panel that handles such serious matters, the “punishments” were as follows:
- Two (out of seven) men were found responsible
- Matthew Ingalls & Jonathan Newell were expelled
- No criminal charges were filed
- Some faced: suspension, disciplinary probation, or “reflection papers”
Update:
In September, Jane Doe’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell University and the seven alleged perpetrators (amongst others including the Chi Phi Fraternity, Tri Delta Sorority, etc.). The case has since gained immense traction and media attention again. In fact, New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered an independent review regarding Cornell’s handling of the incident, and appointed the New York State attorney general, Letitia James, as a special prosecutor with the power to bring criminal charges.
Additionally, hundreds of students protested on campus at Cornell University in support of Jane Doe. They demand the accused men face expulsion and/or revocation of their degrees, a return of the university’s independent judicial system, and mandatory sexual assault prevention trainings.
Although the following details are hopeful in moving towards justice for Jane Doe, we ask you to consider these questions:
- What role do you think fraternity culture and the social dynamics of college organizations can play in sexual-assault cases?
- How should we distinguish between holding an institution accountable and stereotyping an entire group?
- If a university disciplines students but the criminal justice system does not prosecute them, is that an example of accountability?
- Or does it demonstrate a gap between university disciplinary systems and the criminal justice system?
Global News
17-year-old girl gang raped
A recent violent crime has stirred outrage in New Delhi, India. During the evening hours between seven and nine pm on September 21st of this year, a seventeen-year-old girl departed from Kalkaji Temple to meet a male friend at Astha Kunj Park; however, while walking through the park, the pair were intercepted by three men who appeared to be police officers, speaking thick legal jargon. The perpetrators, threatening bodily harm with a knife and gun, separated the two before sexually assaulting the female victim.
Twelve hours after the gruesome attack, law enforcement successfully arrested two out of the three perpetrators involved in the crime, using CCTV footage from the surrounding area. The alleged guilty parties were brothers Hemanth (31), a lawyer practicing at Saket Court, and Mukesh (24), an undergraduate B.S.C. student. The third perpetrator, Asif (31), an onion wholesaler at Srinivaspuri Market, was arrested after an exchange of gunfire, resulting in a nonfatal leg wound.
According to news site The Telegraph, “the Kalkaji gangrape is the fourth reported case of sexual assault of a minor in Delhi in the past two weeks.” This indicates a serious pattern of gendered violence against female minors. Consequently, local cities broke out in protest the following days, demanding both governmental figures and guilty perpetrators face accountability, alongside voicing a necessity for change regarding women’s safety in the country.
Based on the following information, we ask you to sit with these questions:
- How should journalists report on sexual violence cases in ways that inform the public without exploiting survivors’ trauma?
- What can we learn from comparing responses to sexual violence in different countries and cultures?
- What conversations about gender, consent, and power should happen earlier in people’s lives?
