NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Students and alumni at Christopher Newport University in Newport News are calling for change after claims that the university mishandled rape and sexual assault cases.
CNU alumni started a petition and wrote a letter to the administration, calling for changes in how the Title IX office handles these cases.
Two alumni who recently graduated from Christopher Newport University allege the school's Title IX office mishandled rape and sexual assault cases that were reported by students when they attended.
"When I was sexually assaulted, I was incapacitated, black-out drunk. The Title IX office tried to tell me that it didn’t constitute as rape because the definition of incapacitated didn’t qualify," a current sophomore student said.
CNU’s policy states a person incapacitated with alcohol or drugs cannot give consent. The policy also says it's a violation to engage when someone is unable to give consent, due to being incapacitated.
According to the school's Title IX office, "from Aug. 2017 and June 2022, there were four suspensions and one dismissal from the university for sexual misconduct addressed under the Title IX."
Brooke Nixon, an alumna, told News 3's Leondra Head she was assaulted in 2021, and said the perpetrator was eventually expelled.
"I was drugged and sexually assaulted while attending an off-campus party with friends. There was a stranger there who drugged my drink," Nixon said. "I woke up the next morning with gashes on my head and bruises. I knew it had happened. Unfortunately, I know so many students share that same story."
"It felt like I was not only fighting my case against my rapist but also fighting against the office the entire time. It was a long and grueling process," Nixon said.
In one of CNU’s lecture halls, students and recent alumni shared their tragic experiences.
"On Dec. 13, 2017, I was sexually assaulted and raped in my residence hall. When I reported this to the Title IX office, I was told that I need not go to the police and that they would handle it," said Emily Sullivan, a recent graduate.
Sullivan said her assaulter was found not responsible.
"The following semester I had two classes with my rapist," Sullivan said. "The director of the Title IX office told him that as long as my rapist and I were seated on opposite sides of the classroom, there was no issue."
According to Newport News Police, four sexual assault incidents were reported to police between January 2017 and December 2022.
Christopher Newport University released the following statement to News 3 about the alleged claims:
"We take our responsibility for student well-being and safety with the ut-most seriousness. We are committed to offering our full support and compassion to any student going through an immensely challenging and difficult time. Title 9 requires us to have a fair, impartial and exhaustive process that respects the rights of all parties. To ensure student privacy, we will not comment on the specifics of any case."
Some professors stood in support of students.
"I really hope the administration takes what you’ve said and outlines what they’re going to do for you. I’m so deeply disturbed by these stories and I do think this will bring change," a CNU professor said during the forum.
The student group that hosted the forum says they will be meeting the university president, Adelia Thompson, later this week to discuss ways to move forward.
