Florence Pugh has spoken publicly about a sexual assault case involving Cornell University and seven fraternity members, saying Instagram censored her post about the allegations. The actress discussed the issue during an appearance on “The View” and explained why she felt strongly about using her public platform to address the case.
During Wednesday’s episode of “The View,” host Sara Haines asked Pugh about comments she made earlier in the week after reports about the Cornell case resurfaced.
Pugh said the subject left her feeling scared, anxious, and angry. She also said she felt fortunate to have a platform where the issue could receive attention.
“Rape is something that lives,” Pugh said. “The fear of it lives in our bodies, and when stories like this come out and it’s really not picked up in the way that you hope it’s picked up, it makes me feel scared, it makes me feel anxious, it made me feel so much rage.”
Pugh then addressed what happened to her Instagram post.
“I’m able to come here and talk about it in real life, even though, sadly, Instagram censored me when I said it. It’s another shock that women face censorship even when they speak about what they have experienced,” she said.
She thanked the show for discussing the case and said the conversation must continue. Pugh also called for greater accountability when women face sexual violence.
What the Cornell Lawsuit Alleges
Reports surfaced last week about a former Cornell student who filed a lawsuit. Court documents identify the student as Jane Doe. She is suing Cornell University and seven members of the Chi Pi fraternity.
The lawsuit claims that the university and fraternity failed to protect her from an alleged assault in 2024.
According to the lawsuit, the woman visited the Chi Pi fraternity house while intoxicated. She claims that two fraternity members pressured her to snort a substance they identified as ketamine. She says the alleged assault began afterward.
The lawsuit also claims that a man posted in the fraternity’s Snapchat group. He allegedly said that a woman was available for sex. The claimant says several people then sexually assaulted her for hours.
The lawsuit contains allegations, not proven facts. A court has not established the claims as true.
Pugh’s Earlier Social Media Statement
Pugh was among the first celebrities to publicly comment on the allegations. On Sunday, she shared a lengthy statement on social media expressing her reaction to the reports.
“After reading about the young woman who was gang raped at her college by her friend and school peers, I’m feeling uneasy and sick and anxious. I’m processing quietly and watching everything and everyone and every man,” Pugh wrote.
She also called for men to take a more active role in discussions about sexual violence and accountability.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Florence Pugh (@florencepugh)
“This is really the moment where we need our men to be as horrified and as sickened as us,” she wrote. “You need to be leading conversations about how we change the allowance and complicity of this behaviour as much as we are.”
Pugh questioned how women can be expected to trust the phrase “not all men” when people remain silent after serious allegations arise.
Her statement also criticized people who may have known about the alleged assault but did not intervene. She wrote that anyone who knew or heard about what was happening should face serious scrutiny.
Why the Instagram Issue Matters
Pugh’s comments have brought attention to two separate issues: the allegations surrounding the Cornell fraternity and the limits placed on discussions of sexual violence on social media.
Her experience also became part of the conversation she was trying to start. While speaking on “The View,” Pugh said she was able to discuss the subject publicly even after her Instagram post was censored.
The case remains an ongoing legal matter, while the allegations against Cornell and the seven fraternity members remain subject to the legal process.
Florence Pugh’s remarks brought renewed attention to the Cornell sexual assault allegations. She spoke about the need for open discussion, accountability, and greater awareness of sexual violence.
The lawsuit remains in the legal process, and the allegations against Cornell and the seven fraternity members have not been proven in court.
