UPenn Grad Files Lawsuit Against Fraternity, Alleges Sexual Assault During Hazing
In a lawsuit filed Monday in Common Pleas Court, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania alleges that he was sexually assaulted following a forced alcohol bender that left him in and out of consciousness throughout the night, according to Philly.com.
The suit alleges that while at a frat party in January 2013 for the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, Reginald Stewart was stuffed with booze throughout the night and sexually assaulted by a potential recruit, Charles Gibson, who is from Louisiana.
Stewart was then a 19-year-old sophomore at the university and was attending the rush party for possible acceptance into the fraternity.
In the lawsuit, Stewart claims he was walked home in an inebriated state by Gibson and another member of the fraternity. His dormitory was on Locust Street in University City. What followed, to the best of his recollection, was Stewart waking up in the middle of the assault and being too intoxicated to fight off Gibson.
The aftermath became a horrible situation for Stewart. He was injured during the sexual assault, which led to him needing reconstructive surgery on his rectum and the resulting permanent scarring that ensued after the operation.
The assault also resulted in him contracting the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) sexually transmitted disease. The lawsuit seeks $500,000 in damages.
Gibson previously admitted that the two did have sex, but he stated that it was a consensual encounter. He has also admitted that both consumed vast quantities of alcohol while underage at the party.
Stewart, who in May graduated from the university, has declined to comment on the lawsuit. Gibson has also declined to comment on the suit, following the advice of his lawyer.
Representatives from the fraternity have not yet been made available for comment on this situation as well.
Daily Mail also reports that it is unclear at this time whether criminal charges have ever been filed against Gibson for this incident.
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