Two University of Manitoba education professors say a civil lawsuit alleging that seven Cornell fraternity members drugged and sexually assaulted a student shows why consent and sexual health lessons should be compulsory in public schools.
The professors, Shannon D. M. Moore and Jennifer Watt, make that argument in an opinion piece for The Conversation.
Moore and Watt say the case reflects "deeply ingrained misogyny, misunderstandings of consent and persistent myths about sexual violence." They also criticize some media coverage for fueling rape myths and victim blaming.
Their larger point is about schools. The authors write that comprehensive sexual education "can reduce sexual violence, gender-based discrimination and homophobic and transphobic violence." They say provincial curriculums in Canada fall short of human rights standards, research-informed evidence and the Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education. That is the authors' own assessment, not an independent review.
The professors focus on opt-out policies. They write that five Canadian provinces offer parental opt-outs for sexual health education, while Alberta requires parents to opt in to sexuality-related content.
Within a month, they write, Premier Wab Kinew said parents would still be allowed to opt their children out of lessons on human sexuality.
On rights, the authors write that parents have an important role in their children's education, but that children's rights are violated when they are denied sexual health education. They cite the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Canada ratified in 1991.
Their conclusion is plain. "Consent, bodily autonomy, healthy relationships and boundaries should not be optional lessons," Moore and Watt write.
According to CBS News, the former Cornell student, identified in court papers as Jane Doe and 20 at the time, filed the lawsuit on Sept. 16, 2026. It names seven former fraternity members, Cornell University, the Chi Phi fraternity and others. She alleges that the assault happened over several hours in October 2024 and that some of the men pushed her to take ketamine until she was incapacitated.
CBS News reports that no one was criminally charged, but Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten confirmed on Sept. 28 that he had reopened the criminal investigation. Cornell's internal review led to two expulsions and two suspensions of at least two semesters. One man had already graduated, and two were found not responsible for sexual misconduct.
Lawyers for two of the men have denied the accusations in statements to CBS News. Others have not commented publicly.
The case is now in the hands of New York officials. According to CBS News, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Cornell has agreed to hire outside counsel for an independent investigation, and she appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.