Nick Freitas says he would have beaten son over alleged gang rape
Conservative commentator Nick Freitas told a Cornell University audience that he would have beaten his son if he had taken part in the alleged gang rape at the centre of a lawsuit against seven men. He said the reported conduct was “atrocious” regardless of consent, and argued that a claim of consent would not excuse someone from intervening.
The lawsuit, brought by a former Cornell student identified as Jane Doe, alleges that seven men took part in a gang rape at a Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. At the Wednesday event, attended by about 120 people, Freitas also criticised Cornell’s suspension of fraternity parties and social events through the academic year, warning against group punishments. He questioned current attitudes towards casual sex and argued that sex should be treated as sacred within marriage.
In short
- Nick Freitas said he would have beaten his son for participating in the alleged assault.
- A former student’s lawsuit accuses seven men of gang rape at a Cornell fraternity house.
- Freitas criticised group punishments and argued sex should be treated more seriously.
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The case for
Freitas’s position can be understood as insisting that people have a duty to intervene when someone may be at risk, and that alleged group sexual violence warrants unequivocal moral condemnation. He may also argue that Cornell is right to take the allegations seriously while still needing to avoid imposing broad restrictions on students who were not involved.
The case against
Others may argue that threatening to beat a child is not a responsible way to teach accountability, and that condemning alleged conduct should be separated from prejudging the accused before the lawsuit is resolved. They may also see Cornell’s temporary restrictions as a precaution to protect students and review safety, while disputing the claim that sexual ethics should be grounded in marriage.
Explained simply
Nick Freitas is a conservative commentator and former politician from Virginia. Cornell University is a private university in New York state, where fraternities are student organisations that often hold social events.
The lawsuit was brought by a former Cornell student using the name Jane Doe. It alleges that seven men took part in a sexual assault at a Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024; the allegations have not been established in court.
The case has prompted debate about how universities should respond to alleged sexual misconduct and whether restrictions on fraternity events affect students beyond those accused. It also touches on wider disagreements about consent, casual sex and the role of universities in regulating student life.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Top conservative tells Cornell audience he’d have ‘beaten’ his son if he’d been one of seven men named in Jane Doe lawsuit”.