Lawsuit filed vs. Northern Kentucky University for indifference, inadequacy in handling student's sexual complaint

A lawsuit was filed by a Northern Kentucky University student against the university and four of its representatives for being indifferent and allegedly inadequate of handling her complaint after she was sexually assaulted by another male student in the university.

As reported by WCPO Cincinnati, a student from the university hidden under the pseudonym Jane Doe filed a case against the institution. Jane Doe filed a complaint that she was raped by another student in the university during fall semester of 2013.

However, her complaint was allegedly met with measures that are "next to nothing to protect [her] from further anxiety and harassment," as stated in the lawsuit. According to The Northerner, the incident was reported to the university after the plaintiff told her mother.

Jane Doe was then directed by the counselling services to go through the  university's administrative process which is in line with the university's statement in their website that "Survivors of sexual assault are not required to contact the police or file an administrative complaint, but are highly encouraged to reach out to the Norse Violence Prevention center to discuss their options and receive support."

A punishment was given to Jane Doe's attacker, but it proved to be insufficient. The plaintiff's attacker was banned from the student housing complex which was not followed as Jane Doe repeatedly saw him in and around her dorm.

The attacker was also allegedly given a job and was involved in many activities in the campus thus making Jane Doe feel unsafe and later caused for her grades to be affected as well. According to Northern Kentucky Tribune, the  four representatives involved in the case are NKU Pres. Geoffrey S. Mearns, NKU's Chief of Police Les Kachurek,  senior advisor to the President and Title IX coordinator Kathleen Roberts,  Senior Associate Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator Ann James.

The NKU also released a statement about the case stating that the complaint "contains many factual inaccuracies and mischaracterizations. The university will have an opportunity to respond formally to the complaint.

While it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics, we are confident that we have robust policies and procedures in place, which are designed to protect students. We feel strongly that all were followed in this case", the statement read.

Jane Doe's lawyer, attorney Kevin L. Murphy, said that his client is an honor student and an athlete who trusted her advisor about her complaint. He also stated that her family has tried every avenue possible to address her well being but all to no avail.

Jane Doe also protested previously by putting a mattress on her back which was described by the police chief in his email as "publicly slandering" the male student. 

Tags

Northern Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University lawsuit, NKU, Sexual Assault, student sexual assault complaint, NKU student complaint, attorney Kevin L. Murphy

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