A bad combo: TKE, rape, and lawsuit at CBU

[hoosier]

October 29, 2004

By Roswell Encina

Memphis, TN - A Christian Brothers University student claims she was raped by a Tau Kappa Epsilon candidate after a bid party. "He initiated some sexual conduct with her and then he forced her to do the same to him," says the victim's attorney William Winchester.

Winchester says CBU has a reputation of covering up rapes. In a lawsuit filed in Federal Court Friday, it claims sexual assaults are "down played" by CBU. And even goes as far as saying CBU intentionally "withheld campus crime statistics."

"I do believe a lot of rapes do happen but the same way a lot of them go unreported," says CBU student JT Malasra.

Winchester has filed more lawsuits against CBU in the past. One suit claims a CBU professor received retaliation from the school after she helped a rape victim file a complaint. This rape case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education.

"Because of the history or the systemic covers of these actions the lack of response by CBU has fostered a hostile educational environment based on sex," says Winchester.

In both rape cases mentioned, CBUconducted disciplinary hearings. Neither accused rapists were reprimanded.

Both CBU and Tau Kappa Epsilon had no comment.