Students at Loyola University Chicago held a protest, gathering on campus to demand consequences after 10 former students accused the university of failing to respond properly to reports of sexual assault.
“People are furious. We all think this is completely unacceptable. Women on campus don’t feel safe. Queer people on campus don’t feel safe either,” said Lucia Battista, a freshman at Loyola University. In 2022, ten young women filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming they were sexually assaulted while they were students. In court documents, they allege that Loyola University systematically mishandled students’ complaints about sexual misconduct and underreported the number of such complaints, and that the practice went on for at least as far back as 2011.
NBC 5 reporters spoke with a woman appearing under the pseudonym “Jane Doe G,” who initiated a Title IX proceeding (under the federal law banning sex discrimination in education) after she was allegedly assaulted in 2019. “There were times when I was asked to prove that I had been assaulted and was told to touch my own body the same way he had touched me. It was an extremely upsetting and traumatic experience. In that moment I understood that they were questioning my credibility and whether I was telling the whole truth about what happened,” Jane Doe G said.
In a statement, Loyola University officials said they cannot comment on the ongoing litigation, citing the need to “protect the privacy of those involved and ensure the integrity of the legal process.” “Loyola University Chicago always puts the safety of its students first. Accordingly, the university takes all reports of sexual misconduct very seriously, responding promptly and fairly, in line with our legal and ethical obligations, to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone,” the university’s leadership wrote. “We offer support to those affected, including help with reporting cases to law enforcement, the option to file a report on campus, confidential help from advocates, psychological support and, where appropriate, assistance with academic matters,” the statement added.
The story of the student appearing as “Jane Doe G” contributed not only to Monday’s protest on campus but also to discussions in classrooms. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking a refund of tuition and damages. “Jane Doe G” said she has already repaid tens of thousands of dollars in student loans. The court has rejected Loyola University’s attempts to have the lawsuit dismissed. The trial date has been set for September 2027.
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Source: Polski.FM
