Trigger Warning: Sexual Violence
Florence Pugh has released a comprehensive statement addressing allegations surrounding a reported 2024 sexual assault at Cornell University, calling for accountability while speaking out against social media censorship.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed by a former student against the university, alleging she was drugged and gang-raped for hours during a Chi Pi fraternity party by peers.
Seven men were named in the suit, which included distressing text messages between the accused. Reports indicate that only two of the men were expelled, none were arrested, and some allegedly received administrative assignments like essay writing in lieu of legal consequences.
Disturbed by the viral reports, Pugh posted a detailed message on Instagram addressing systemic complicity and accountability:
“After reading about the young woman who was gang raped at her college by her friend and school peers, I’m feeling uneasy and sick and anxious. I’m processing quietly and watching everything and everyone and every man. I have a few thoughts on this horrific act that happened at Cornell College in 2024. I know this has happened before, and I hate the idea of it happening again. This is really the moment where we need our men to be as horrified and as sickened as us. You need to be leading conversations about how we change the allowance and complicity of this behaviour as much as we are. How can you expect us to trust that it’s “not all men” when in moments like this, many of you stay quiet?
A drugged gang rape takes action and conversations. It immediately makes me wonder- had it been in the works for a while? Was the damage of this poor woman’s body thought about over and over before? Every single person who knew or heard about this happening, should be looked at with serious concern. They are as evil as those planning it. To know that a torture as violent as rape is about to happen ‘upstairs’ and not do ANYTHING ABOUT IT, is sick, cowardly and cold.
The thing that makes me most heartbroken, is it’s a want to kill a soul. This is a killing of a soul. Destroying of a body and killing of a soul. And they’ve been let off? All it takes is write a quick ‘I’m so sorry I raped a girl while she was drugged with my friends, we thought it would be fine?’ essay and you’re good to go! This is unacceptable.
We are not hard enough on those that want to damage human lives. I salute all those at the college that are fighting for that girl, exposing those boys and making life unbearably impossible to find joy during their terms. They should not be allowed to walk freely like the rest of us who treasure and care for souls.
Colleges/schools/universities repeatedly fail women around the world. You build men that get taught through time and time again that they can do extreme harm and that they won’t be harmed in return.
I’m no longer tired- I’m enraged by schools protecting boys, in fear of their futures being wrecked. What about the life that those girls then have to endure, with the knowledge that his reputation is more precious than her truth? Or to feel that no one with the power to do something cares that you were abused. It’s further soul-destroying. Those that protect and lightly sentence men that rape and destroy, should be punished and watched closely. Why are you protecting someone that fiercely? There is no equality until you respect our bodies. There is no equality until you stop damaging our souls. There is no equality until you let us live. There is no equality until we can say we feel safe. We are the life force of this earth, start ****ing protecting us. Be angry for us. Please.”
In her accompanying post caption, Pugh directed words of solidarity to the anonymous plaintiff:
“And if you are one of those shouting about this from the rooftops- thank you. Truly. This is a human issue, not a women’s issue. We are all involved. Men especially. Most importantly, to Jane Doe who bravely stood up to the despicable college that chose to do the wrong thing, you are so unbelievably powerful. So strong willed. And know that women everywhere are here to hold you and help you on your healing journey. Thank you for telling the world, we will do better.”
Shortly after publishing, Pugh noticed her post was experiencing delivery issues, prompting her to call out Instagram for apparent shadowbanning and algorithmic suppression.
Reposting the statement to her main grid on Sunday, September 27, Pugh noted:
“Instagram decided to block my post from getting in front of the right people. Tut tut tut. Oh dear. That doesn’t look great does it? Here’s another go at it in case you were one of those people that can no longer see my post.”
Pugh elaborated on her Instagram Story, pointing out that engagement metrics and viewing privileges were limited: “Rather worryingly, neither l or some of my followers can access the recent post that I wrote about the Cornell College sexual abuse. Why is that? Has it been taken down for others? Am I being censored for talking about rape?”
After observing that the post was only partially accessible to some users, she added: “Some people can only see the trigger warning and some people can’t swipe. Great! Another lovely lesson to teach people that if you speak up about it, we will silence you! Good job I saved it. I’ll give it another go.”
Concluding her messages to the platform, Pugh wrote: “Instagram, at least we can see what side you’re on. Don’t protect rapists. It’s pathetic behaviour.”
