NEWARK, Del. - Over 100 students gathered not just to support the victim of the case in New York, but also speak out against what they see is an underwhelming amount of issues and support being provided by their school.
The reaction to the "Cornell 7" made its way to the University of Delaware on Thursday afternoon.
There were 51 cases of sexual assault or abuse reported on the UD campus in 2024, but there is just one full-time victim advocate on staff.
Organizer Anna Horsman said UD's advocate does an excellent job, but current preventative measures aren't doing enough to stop people from getting involved in sexual abuse situations.
"We already have problems in place where we watch videos for the Sexual Ed, and that seems to be doing a little bit better, but we still need to have this engrained in their heads and have a society where this doesn't happen anymore."
The rally also provided the opportunity for victims to share their message with a supportive crowd.
"I am survivor of sexual abuse. I am here today to be the voice for every person who does not feel safe to speak out, has never told anyone what happened to them, or is not in a position to use their voice," one person said.
Horsman said Thursday's support needs to be an everlasting system.
"Knowing that sexual violence is not okay and it happens more often than people think. Some people don't speak out about it, and they take it to their graves. Just be aware that you never know what's going on in a person's day. We're all Jane Doe, and we're going to keep it that way."
If their goal was to be heard by UD leadership, they were successful.
University of Delaware President Dr. Laura Carlson did briefly appear at the rally, although she stayed towards the back.
In a statement, Rick Deadwyler, UD's Vice President of Public Affairs said, "We are proud of our students who came together today to support survivors of sexual violence. Their voices were powerful, and were heard. Sexual violence has no place at UD. Ending it is a commitment our whole community must embrace."
