Florence Pugh breaks silence on alleged Cornell sexual assault case

Florence Pugh speaks out on the alleged Cornell sexual assault case, urging men to stand against sexual violence

Florence Pugh has spoken out about a 2024 alleged sexual assault at Cornell University, calling for greater accountability and urging men to speak up against sexual violence.

Pugh shared a lengthy statement on Instagram after a former Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit alleging that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple men at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lawsuit names seven current and former students as defendants and also accuses Cornell University and other organisations of failing to protect the student and adequately respond to the allegations. Cornell has said it will respond through the legal process.

In her statement, Pugh said she felt “uneasy and sick” after reading about the case. She called on men to participate in conversations about sexual violence and challenged those who remain silent when they become aware of harmful behaviour.

Pugh also criticised what she described as institutions failing to adequately protect women and questioned how survivors can feel safe when concerns about reputations appear to take precedence over their experiences.

The actor concluded her post with a message directly addressing Jane Doe, thanking her for speaking publicly about her experience and offering support during her healing journey.

The lawsuit alleges that the student was incapacitated after being pressured to consume drugs and that the alleged assault continued for several hours. One defendant’s attorney has denied the allegations against his client, while the other defendants could not immediately be reached for comment, according to The Cornell Daily Sun.

The case remains ongoing, with the allegations yet to be established in court. Cornell has also pointed to its Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault, which issued recommendations in March 2026.