‘I am Jane Doe’ posts spread after Cornell lawsuit

Social media users are posting “I am Jane Doe” to support a woman suing Cornell University and seven fraternity members she accuses of raping her, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

The posts have become a show of solidarity and, for some participants, an effort to make it harder for online systems to identify the plaintiff, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The woman filed the lawsuit under the name Jane Doe against Cornell University and seven fraternity members, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. The Associated Press typically does not identify victims of sexual abuse unless they publicly name themselves.

The online response grew after Cornell's independent student newspaper reported on the lawsuit filing late last month, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. Supporters have shared videos, photos and text using phrases such as “I am Jane Doe.”

Emma Davidson Tribbs, founding director of the National Women's Defense League, said the posts reflect a broader willingness among survivors to speak publicly. “They are giving people a level of bravery and comfort to come forward and speak their truth. And they can be incredibly catalyzing for change,” Tribbs said.

Wendy Lea Brewer, a 48-year-old singer, was among those who posted in support, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. Brewer used captions including “I am Jane Doe” and “It's time to speak.”

Kelsey Combe, a photographer in the Midwest, said she joined the effort partly to make online identification harder. “It was to confuse the AI models and stand in solidarity with her,” Combe said.

Diana Simon, a professor of law at the University of Arizona, said the use of pseudonyms such as Jane Doe in lawsuits has increased in recent decades, including cases “where it would be in the person's best interest to remain anonymous,” according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Combe later said AI incorrectly linked her to the lawsuit, showing the risks and limits of an online campaign built around anonymity, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.