A 21-year-old woman has reported a sexual assault that allegedly occurred at a fraternity party near the University of Chicago. According to a report by The New York Times, the incident took place in the early hours of Sunday at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house. The woman was discovered in a locked bathroom with her clothes pulled down and a man holding her wrists, as reported by a friend who found her in that state.

Witnesses outside the bathroom reportedly heard men making comments such as “When’s it my turn?” and “I want to go in there,” before one of them forced the door open. Neither the woman who reported the assault nor the alleged perpetrator were students at the University of Chicago, as confirmed by police. The city police are currently investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made as of yet.

Friend’s Intervention Leads to Discovery

Mia Lara, a 21-year-old student from a nearby university, attended the party with the victim and another friend after seeing it promoted on the fraternity’s Instagram account. This was the first fraternity party for all three women. After dancing in the basement, Lara lost track of her friend, who had begun kissing a man at the event.

While searching for her friend, Lara encountered a group of men outside a locked bathroom. She overheard them making inappropriate remarks, which prompted her to force the door open. Inside, she found her friend sitting on the floor, visibly distressed, with her clothing in disarray. The man who had been kissing her was allegedly holding her wrists, and the victim was reportedly pleading for help.

Lara began screaming, which caused the man to leave the bathroom. She and her friend assisted the victim out of the locked space. Following the incident, Lara confronted the man outside the fraternity house, where a video captured her accusing him of assaulting her friend. The man allegedly responded, “She wanted to,” before fleeing the scene.

University and Fraternity Responses

The University of Chicago chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi has condemned the alleged sexual assault in a statement on Instagram, urging respect for the victim’s privacy. The national organisation of the fraternity also expressed its disapproval of the incident, stating that no one should fear for their safety at any campus event.

Jonathan Pierce, a spokesman for the national fraternity, clarified that the suspect was not a member of the university chapter and asserted that they do not believe any AEPi members were involved or complicit in the incident. The university has indicated that fraternities are not formally affiliated with the institution but are still subject to its policies and disciplinary procedures.

As the investigation continues, Alpha Epsilon Pi has been instructed to refrain from holding events or programmes. Gerald McSwiggan, a university spokesman, declined to provide further comments regarding the situation.

Broader Context of Fraternity Culture

This incident has emerged amid increased scrutiny of fraternities and Greek life on US campuses, particularly following allegations of a gang rape at Cornell University in 2024. These allegations have gained renewed attention after a woman filed a lawsuit related to the case, prompting Cornell to announce a ban on fraternity parties for the remainder of the academic year.

Concerns about hazing, violence, and fatalities associated with some Greek life organisations have led to questions about their role on campuses. While fraternities are often promoted as avenues for friendship and professional networking, allegations of misconduct have raised significant concerns regarding campus safety.

Klara Grant, an 18-year-old chemistry student at the University of Chicago, expressed shock upon learning about the incident after leaving the party with friends before it occurred. She noted that the atmosphere on campus is likely to change in the wake of this event.

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