PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Dozens took part in a march and rally outside Philadelphia City Hall Thursday night in solidarity with victims of sexual assault on college campuses.
The gathered survivors, their supporters, and advocates asked more of colleges, more of men, and for an end to sexual violence against women. The rally and march around City Hall featured survivor stories, spoken word, and chants.
Organizer Lydia Cole said that despite prominent cases recently in the news, sexual violence is common.
“One in three women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime,” said Cole. “This is something that is so common — even incidents with multiple perpetrators — is something that is so common, and is buried by universities and institutions every single day.”
Those prominent cases include Jane Doe, a woman accusing several men of raping her at a Cornell frat party in 2024. She and her attorney said that police quickly cut their investigation short. After she filed a new suit this fall, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed a special prosecutor to look into the school and district attorney’s response.
Meanwhile, an LSU student recently spoke out after the school found Damien Shanklin, a football player, responsible for rape. Shanklin was put on campus probation and continued to play football.
Both schools have issued public comments that they are cooperating with investigators.
“It’s so important that we let people know that this is going on because this is a daily reality for women and survivors of all genders,” said Cole.
