Wesleyan Student Sues University over Title IX
ByTitle IX, also known as federal gender equality law, garnered much attention in the media space, as there was a slight chance that scandal-stricken Penn State could be indicted over the violation of the law.
But, before a final word is heard on the Penn State's fate with regard to Title IX, a similar lawsuit has been filed against Wesleyan University.
A former Wesleyan female student has sued the university for failing to protect her from the dangers of a fraternity which was infamously known as 'rape factory.'
The woman identified only as 'Jane Doe' was allegedly sexually assaulted in the fraternity's Halloween party two years ago.
The lawsuit filed by the student says the university violated the Title IX by failing 'to supervise, discipline, warn or take other corrective action' against the Mu Epsilon chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, actions that it says could have prevented the assault, reports Hartford Courant.
When she reported the rape to the officials, she was targeted by the students who earlier protested against a recommendation by Wesleyan officials that students avoid the fraternity. In addition, she was followed around the campus and mentally harassed, the lawsuit says.
The Beta Theta Pi apparently has a notorious reputation and troubled past. It has 'a long-documented history of dangerous misconduct, student injuries and numerous sexual assaults of women,' reads the lawsuit. It also alleges that the chapter lost its recognition in 2005.
Even the university warned the students not to attend the parties at the fraternity house through a chain of emails in 2010 and 1011.
But, John O'Neill, the man accused of raping Jane Doe, was reportedly a guest at the fraternity and not a student or member.
The university officials have refused to comment on the litigation, when Huffington Post contacted them Monday.
In the meantime, the Oxford-based National Headquarters of the fraternity has issued a statement offering 'support of Sexual Assault Victim and Wesleyan Chapter Members.' It has called the 'non-member' John O Neill's actions as 'horrendous.'
The statement reads:
"...O'Neill has affected in an extremely negative manner both a young woman in the prime of her life and 64 Beta Theta Pi students unassociated with and unaware of his atrocious actions. Beta Theta Pi's international leadership seeks to support her in every way possible and the Fraternity's undergraduate chapter members on the Middletown campus."
They reportedly flew down to Connecticut to 'ensure the fraternity's support was coordinated comprehensively.'