Official Statement · NASW New York Chapter

Shakira A. Kennedy, PhD, LMSW · Executive Director, NASW-NY

NASW-NY is deeply concerned by the allegations of sexual violence and drug-facilitated assault involving Cornell University students and the Chi Phi fraternity. We recognize that the criminal investigation remains ongoing and that the allegations have not been adjudicated. We also recognize Cornell University’s statements regarding its internal disciplinary process, its sanctions, and its support for the renewed criminal investigation.

As social workers, we understand that sexual violence can have profound and lasting effects on survivors, families, and communities. Our profession has a responsibility to create spaces where survivors are treated with dignity, their experiences are taken seriously, and they receive accurate information about their rights, options, safety, and available services.

Trauma-informed social work also requires us to understand that survivors may respond to trauma in different ways and may not disclose every detail immediately. Social workers should avoid assumptions about a survivor’s credibility, memory, behavior, substance use, or timing of disclosure and instead focus on safety, choice, informed decision-making, and access to appropriate care.

This case has context beyond the Cornell University campus. It speaks to what we value, whose voices we believe, whose safety we prioritize, and whose experiences we too often minimize as a society.

Sexual violence can happen to anyone, regardless of sex, gender, age, identity, or circumstance. At the same time, available national data show that women and girls experience sexual violence at disproportionately high rates, while recognizing that sexual violence affects people of all genders. Research also identifies broader social factors, including gender inequality, power, and harmful social norms, as important factors shaping the context in which sexual violence occurs. Women are too often expected to carry the burden of preventing violence against them: where they go, what they wear, who they trust, how they respond, and whether they speak up. Too often, the questions asked after sexual violence focus on the survivor rather than on the person who caused the harm and the systems that may have failed to protect them.

Consent is not determined by sex or gender. New York State guidance explains that consent is an agreement to specific sexual activity and can be changed or withdrawn at any time. New York law also recognizes circumstances in which a person is incapable of consent. These principles are relevant to survivors of all genders and are important considerations for trauma-informed social work practice, education, advocacy, and referral.

NASW-NY intends to develop additional informational and educational programming to support social workers who work with survivors of sexual violence, including training related to trauma-informed practice, drug-facilitated sexual violence, consent, survivor rights, reporting options, forensic examinations, and navigating New York State resources. Please refer to the NASW-NY CEU Schedule and NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. Community Engagement Initiative for the latest programming on our calendar.

In the meantime, NASW-NY has compiled a resource list provided below to help social workers better understand the legal, medical, forensic, and social considerations related to sexual violence. The resources include information on New York State consent and refusal laws, survivor rights, sexual offense laws, statutes of limitations, sexual assault forensic examinations, drug-facilitated sexual assault, and ketamine, as well as statewide and local survivor services, crisis support, advocacy organizations, and professional training resources.

For social workers, this moment reinforces the importance of being prepared to respond with knowledge, compassion, and a trauma-informed approach. Survivors deserve to know their rights, understand their options, and have access to support without judgment. NASW-NY remains committed to supporting social workers in this work and to strengthening education and resources around the prevention and response to sexual violence.

Safety is not simply the absence of violence. Safety exists when people know that their dignity will be protected, their voices will matter, their choices will be respected, and systems will respond when that safety is violated.

Social Work Practice Considerations

• Use trauma-informed, survivor-centered language and avoid victim-blaming.
• Do not assume that a survivor’s substance use, intoxication, memory gaps, delayed disclosure, or continued contact with an alleged perpetrator indicates consent.
• Center the survivor’s immediate safety, autonomy, privacy, and informed choice.
• Provide options rather than directives. A survivor may have different priorities regarding medical care, forensic evidence collection, law enforcement, campus processes, or civil action.
• When discussing legal questions, distinguish general education from legal advice and make appropriate referrals.
• Know local rape crisis programs, SAFE services, hospital resources, and culturally responsive supports so referrals can be made promptly.
• Remember that sexual violence affects people of all genders. Resource and educational materials should explicitly include men, women, transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse survivors.