UBC Students Rally Against Sexual Violence in Solidarity With Woman in Cornell Case
Shraddha Tripathy
10/9/20262 min read
Students at the University of British Columbia rallied Thursday to call for stronger action against sexual violence, saying a high-profile case at Cornell University has highlighted concerns that extend far beyond a single campus.
About 70 students participated in the demonstration at UBC’s Vancouver campus, with many carrying signs bearing messages such as “We are Jane Doe.”
The rally was organized in solidarity with a woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe, who is suing Cornell University over its handling of an alleged gang rape in October 2024.
The woman alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted for several hours inside a fraternity house.
None of the people accused in the Cornell case have been criminally charged, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
Students Say Cornell Case Resonates Beyond U.S.
Although Cornell is located thousands of kilometres away in Ithaca, N.Y., students at the UBC rally said the case has struck a nerve because of their own experiences and those of people close to them.
UBC student Lorraine Massamba said the issue feels personal.
“It's something that really touches me deeply,” she said. “I have a bunch of friends who have been affected by certain similar situations, and have just been dismissed.”
Organizer Isabella Korkor said Jane Doe has become a symbol for women who experience harassment or sexual violence on university campuses.
“It happens all over the world. Sexual violence doesn't have a single location,” she said.
“We had the opportunity to at least show solidarity, and we are hoping long-term to actually make some policy changes with the university.”
Demonstrators Call for More Support and Accountability
Students at the rally called for more direct support for survivors and stronger consequences for people responsible for sexual violence.
Organizer Paula Jiang said she has watched several friends struggle after reporting harassment, stalking and other forms of sexual violence.
“I've had many close friends experience multiple forms of sexual violence, like harassment or stalking, on campus,” Jiang said.
She said some felt their experiences were dismissed after seeking help through campus resources or police.
“And every time it's been reported to either the resource centre or campus police, or just the police in general, it's been so frequently invalidated, and it's just heartbreaking for me to watch.”
UBC Says It Takes Reports Seriously
In a statement, UBC said it investigates allegations of sexual assault and misconduct in accordance with university policies.
“The university offers a range of confidential, trauma-informed services for students, faculty and staff who have experienced harm, and a range of support and accountability options that respect individual choice and honour each person's needs,” the university said.
“We are committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all members of our community.”
UBC pointed to its sexual misconduct and sexualized violence policy, first drafted in 2017 and reviewed every three years.
Students seeking information about reporting options can also contact the university’s investigations office, which handles sexual misconduct complaints.
Cornell Case Remains Under Investigation
The Cornell allegations have drawn international attention over the responses of both the university and law enforcement.
U.S. prosecutors have since reopened the investigation into the alleged assault.
A former U.S. Justice Department official has also been selected to examine how Cornell handles complaints involving sexual misconduct.
No criminal charges have been laid against the accused.
For students at UBC, organizers said Thursday’s demonstration was intended both to show support for the woman at the centre of the Cornell case and to push for broader changes in how universities respond to sexual violence.
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