Jane Doe in Cornell University gang rape case allowed to remain anonymous, judge warns against threats: Know why the court granted her request and what it means

A New York judge has allowed Jane Doe to continue persuing the lawsuit in the Cornell University gang rape case anonymously. The Cornell University student, who accused seven male students of raping her in 2024, was earlier assigned the pseudonym Jane Doe.

Her attorney made the request in court and none of the defendants opposed it. She can now remain anonymous for the duration of the trial. The permission to remain anonymous is generally not automatic under American law.

Jane Doe remains in ‘constant fear’, her lawyer had said

Jane Doe’s lawyer told the BBC earlier that she feels under fire after she filed a lawsuit alleging that she was drugged and raped at a fraternity house in Cornell University. The lawyers said that as the trial was proceeding, she had been having “a very hard time” for the past few weeks and was just “surviving”.

The former student had not been sleeping well and has since had to rely on medication. Her lawyers further added that she constantly remained in fear and did not even feel safe in her own home. However, the lawyer also added that despite all of it her resolve was not shaken and she will continue to pursue her lawsuit to overhaul the system at Cornell University to protect survivors.

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She faces online doxxing, attempts at revealing her identity

After the case went viral on social media, she received a slew of support from thousands of users under the “I am Jane Doe” campaign. This came after another section of social media users had been defending the men she had accused. Several online accounts also aimed at revealing her real identity.

According to her lawyer, her address was posted on social media without her consent. Following this someone called in a police emergency. Police officers swatted her house with their weapons drawn, and aimed them at her father, a friend and her brother. The police had received a tip that “someone had been murdering people in the house,” CNN reported earlier.

Her lawyers further added that she and her family had faced death threats and several doxxing attempts as several people pushed their anger against her. He also detailed a test message to CNN which had three gun emojis. According to CNN, she has resorted to taping paper on her windows, hoping to deter the focus on her family home.

What did the court say about granting her anonymity and what does it mean?

Judge Phaedra Perry-Bond granted Jane Doe’s request for anonymity due to the “highly publicized nature of the allegation” and concerns about the threats that may arise if she was identified publicly.

The judge warned people against cyberstalking and any threats and harassment targeted towards Jane Doe. She said anyone who engages in such acts could face criminal prosecution. The court also acknowledged that several people tried to use her identity to harass her and people related to her, saying, “some members of the public have made it their mission to try and identify Jane Doe”.

The judge also added that the same could be granted to the defendant if they requested, and encouraged wider privacy protection to all witnesses and defendants in the case.

The judge’s decision means that court filings would be required to conceal Jane Doe’s identity and any other personal information about her. Defendants will be allowed to privately share any identifying information whenever it is necessary for the investigation and for the preparation for the trial.