Police are currently looking into a woman’s claim of being sexually assaulted at a fraternity gathering close to the University of Chicago campus. This accusation arises during a period of increased attention on sexual violence within college settings. As of Wednesday, Chicago police have not pressed charges, following an alert by university officials identifying a person of interest.
This incident in Chicago coincides with a controversy at Cornell University regarding a woman’s allegations of being drugged and gang-raped by fraternity members in 2024. While the university took internal disciplinary measures, no criminal charges were filed. The University of Chicago, known for its research programs and sizable student body, confirmed that a woman reported a sexual assault at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house early Sunday.
The victim, a 21-year-old woman who is not affiliated with the university, reported the assault to authorities and sought medical treatment. When requested, Chicago police did not immediately provide a copy of the incident report but according to the Chicago Sun-Times, the victim mentioned feeling unwell after drinking and dancing at the party. Her friends found her in a compromised state in a bathroom with a partially undressed man, surrounded by cheering onlookers.
Alpha Epsilon Pi stated that none of its members were involved in the alleged assault or supported it. The fraternity’s local chapter clarified that they assisted the victim upon being notified by her friends and promptly ended the party. The fraternity’s national spokesperson emphasized that there is no evidence implicating any fraternity members in the assault. The identified person of interest is not connected to the university in any way.
In a related development, Cornell University recently announced a ban on fraternity house parties until the next year and will involve the New York State Police in campus sexual assault investigations. Fraternities are facing increased scrutiny, with the University of Arizona suspending fraternity activities due to reports of assault, hazing, and other misconduct.
