A Call to Stand With Survivors on Campus

When the headlines scream about another assault on a college campus, the headlines often fade faster than the trauma that follows. At Cornell, a recent case reminded us—again—how fragile the safety net really is for students who speak up.

Jane Doe, a name we use to protect a survivor’s privacy, has become a symbol of both the courage it takes to report and the endless hurdles that follow. She walked into a room full of administrators, hoping for an ally, only to encounter paperwork that felt more like a labyrinth than a lifeline.

It’s not just Cornell’s policies that need scrutiny; it’s the culture that lets such policies become paperwork riddles. When a survivor is told to “wait for the investigation” while the campus buzzes with regular classes, the message is painfully clear: your pain is an inconvenience.

We, as a community—students, faculty, alumni, and neighbors—must refuse to let that message stick. It starts with believing the victim, even when the story feels messy or inconvenient. It continues with demanding transparent processes, real consequences for perpetrators, and resources that aren’t just buzzwords on a website.

And let’s be honest: the road to change is never a straight line. There will be missteps, debates, and moments when hope feels like a distant echo. Still, every time a survivor finds a friend who listens, every time a professor pushes for policy reform, we inch forward.

So to every Jane Doe out there—whether you’re on Cornell’s campus or any other university—we see you. We hear you. And we’re still standing in your corner, ready to fight the good fight alongside you.