Sexual Assault Settlement: University of Connecticut Agrees to Pay 5 Women Over Mishandling of Assault Complains
The University of Connecticut agreed to pay a nearly $1.3 million settlement to five women who filed a lawsuit against the school for alleged mishandling of their sexual assault complaints
According to the announcement Friday, the five women who reported being attacked between 2010 and 2013 while attending UConn said the school's response was apparent "indifference."
The lawsuit alleged that the school's discrimination against these women violated Title IX, which ensures equal educational resources to students. UConn has repeatedly defended its policy on responding to sexual assault complaints and doesn't admit to any wrongdoing.
"It was clear to all parties that no good would have come from dragging this out for years as it consumed the time, attention and resources -- both financial and emotional -- of everyone involved," chairman of the school's Board of Trustees, Larry McHugh, said. "In order to do this, compromise was required on both sides, which is reflected in the settlement. I hope this resolution will help the students find closure on this issue."
The majority of the settlement, $900,000, will be given to Silvana Moccia, a former hockey player at the university who joined the lawsuit in December after allegedly being kicked off the team after reporting a rape by a male hockey player in August 2011. The other four defendants' allotted amounts are: Kylie Angell, who will receive $115,000; Carolyn Luby will get $25,000; Rosemary Richi will be compensated $60,000; and Erica Daniels, who will be given $125,000.
"This lawsuit may have been settled, but the issue of sexual assault on college campuses has not been," school President Susan Herbst said. "Our hearts go out to all victims of sexual violence. The University has taken many positive, important steps in the battle against sexual assault in recent years, which are described in the joint statement, but there is still more to be done."
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