A student who reported rape in May 2017 by an Oregon State University footballer has sued the school for imposing an order that directs the victim and the accused to have no contact.
The lawsuit claims that the no-contact order amounts to retaliation for reporting rape as it restricts the movement of the victim student on campus. She is referred to as “Jane Doe” in court documents to protect her privacy.
“Through this order, and under threat of disciplinary action, OSU has limited and continues to limit Ms. Doe’s access to educational opportunities and benefits on campus if and when Pace is present, which is counter to her rights under Title IX,” the lawsuit states.
The suit further states that the no-contact order of the school bolsters the “hostile sexual environment” as a result of rape on campus and subsequent sex discrimination against the plaintiff.
In May 2017, Doe’s parents reported the alleged rape by football player Jordan Pace to the school’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. The office, in turn, issued a no-contact order barring both the victim and the accused from having any contact.
Steve Clark, vice president of university relations and marketing at OSU, said that the school is “reviewing the details of the complaint and its motions.”
“We take all reports of sexual misconduct very seriously,” Clark said. “In this case, the goal of a mutual no contact order is to protect both students during an investigation and resolution process and to ensure that each party has equal access to their educational programs and services at the university.”
The prosecutors have already filed charges against Pace and case is set to go on trial in October.