“It made you nervous” - Cornell rape allegations revive concerns over University of Iowa fraternity case

“It made you nervous” - Cornell rape allegations revive concerns over University of Iowa fraternity case

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - Sexual assault allegations at Cornell University in New York are renewing concerns for some University of Iowa students who say a 2020 fraternity case still shapes their sense of safety on campus.

Lilly Froehlich, a senior at Iowa, said the allegations at the New York university brought back concerns about the case involving Iowa’s Phi Gamma Delta, or Fiji, fraternity.

“Even though it happened prior to me starting as a student, I think it really changed the atmosphere of being a woman on campus. It made you nervous,” Froehlich said.

In the Iowa case, a woman said that two fraternity members sexually assaulted her while she was incapacitated and then shared pictures. The allegations sparked protests, but no sexual assault charges were filed.

The woman pursued civil lawsuits against the two men and the fraternity. Those cases ended in settlements in 2024, about four years after the alleged assault.

Eashaan Vajpeyi, the attorney who represented her, said pursuing a civil case can be a lengthy and emotionally difficult process.

“For the alleged victim in these cases it truly feels like a David versus Goliath situation. And these cases take years and there is no shortage of victim-blaming that occurs. It’s mentally draining for everyone involved,” Vajpeyi said.

He said seeing the scrutiny others face can discourage survivors from coming forward.

“It’s very easy for them to think that this is not worth it,” Vajpeyi said.

Froehlich said she knows support resources are available to her. But she worries attention surrounding the Cornell University allegations will fade, and she questions whether the public conversation after Iowa’s case led to enough change.

“I feel like it did not stay in our, kind of, collective talk-space for long. I feel like we kind of moved on from it, but that nothing really changed as far a preventing it from happening again,” Froehlich said.

University of Iowa students can find counseling and support information through the Women’s Resource and Action Center. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Services provides confidential advocacy and a 24-hour crisis line.

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