This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
Florence Pugh called for men to speak up after allegations involving a Cornell University fraternity surfaced in a lawsuit. Pugh said the claims left her “uneasy and sick and anxious” as she urged men to speak up.
Seven Chi Phi members faced allegations of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old student after allegedly drugging her. The suit also blamed Cornell for failing to protect her.
Florence Pugh urges men to speak up after disturbing Cornell University sexual assault allegations
Pugh shared her thoughts on Instagram over the complaint. “This is really a moment where we need our men to be as horrified and as sickened as us,” she wrote. Pugh called the alleged victim “strong willed” and called the claims a “killing of a soul.” She also criticised universities that “repeatedly fail women around the world.”
Institutions protecting accusers had left her “enraged.” She added, “This is a human issue, not a women’s issue. We are all involved. Men especially.”
According to the lawsuit, the student drank alcohol at a bar before going to the Cornell fraternity house. She alleged Matthew Ingalls and Johnathan Newell pressured her to snort ketamine before sexually assaulting her. Complaint said Newell invited members upstairs. He allegedly wrote “free p***y” in a Snapchat group called “Chi Phi Actives.” It also alleged Newell poured ketamine onto his erect penis and ordered the woman to snort it.
Several men allegedly poured ketamine across her body and snorted it. She said the October 2024 assault caused “severe emotional and psychological distress.” She sued the fraternity members and Cornell, alleging the university failed to take reasonable steps to protect her.
The complaint named Ingalls, Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris and Kretzschmar. She believed the Ithaca police probe remained open; Cornell’s had concluded. Jeremy Saland, Kretzschmar’s attorney, denied the allegations to TMZ. He said documents, witness statements and scientific evidence supported Kretzschmar’s position. Saland said the criminal investigation resulted in no charges against his client.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).