The View’s Sunny Hostin ignites debate online over her comments on Cornell University alleged gang rape

The View’s Sunny Hostin ignites debate online over her comments on Cornell University alleged gang rape Hostin’s comments divided viewers, with some accusing her of ‘victim blaming,’ while others said she was merely stating the legal facts - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in The View’s Sunny Hostin has ignited a heated debate online after she sided with New York prosecutors for not previously bringing criminal charges in the case of Jane Doe, the young woman who alleges she was gang-raped by members of a Cornell University fraternity while intoxicated. Doe, a former student at the Ivy League school, sued Cornell and seven male fraternity members, alleging that she was drugged and sexually assaulted for hours in October 2024 at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca, New York. No arrests have been made in connection with the case, and the local district attorney has said he is reopening the case in light of the new civil suit. Hostin, a former attorney who prosecuted sex crimes, was accused of “victim blaming” by dozens of people on social media after she compared what Doe said in a 2024 police statement with the allegations in the lawsuit filed earlier this month. Others agreed with Hostin and said she was merely stating the legal facts of the case. Doe’s six-page police statement from 2024 has not been made public by the Tompkins County District Attorney, but Hostin said she obtained a copy and held it up on Tuesday’s episode of The View. “While this is something that we have to take very seriously, there is no way, according to her statement in 2024, that any prosecutor would have brought forth a case,” Hostin said. Hostin referenced the outdated and controversial New York state law that, to successfully argue a case of statutory rape, prosecutors must prove physical force, an explicit refusal, or that the victim was rendered “physically helpless” through unconsciousness or involuntary drugging. Because the victim voluntarily drank alcohol before the assault and was conscious, the prosecutor stated that criminal charges could not be supported. In a statement, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten explained that he did not previously bring charges because “there is no evidence in Jane Doe’s [2024] statement indicating that she clearly expressed that she did not consent to the act,” which Hostin also referenced on the show. “She allowed other boys and consented to other boys snorting ketamine off of her body,” Hostin said. “And under New York law, voluntary intoxication or drug use that merely impairs judgment does not legally constitute an inability to consent to sexual activity.” “So that means if you voluntarily ingest drugs, you voluntarily take alcohol, you can agree to have threesomes,” the pundit continued. “Which, in her statement, she agreed to have two separate threesomes.” Hostin, who said she was “dealing with the facts,” also expressed sympathy for the seven male students accused in the lawsuit and defended them. “The pictures of these young men who have not been charged, not been adjudicated, are being plastered all over the internet,” Hostin said. “I think people are reporting this story inaccurately. I think they're reporting it unfairly.” “I would hope that our young men don't behave this way,” she also said. “I think it's morally wrong, but I'm not judging.” Despite leaning on the law for her argument, Hostin’s critics accused her of being “cold” and “insensitive” in her assessment of the case. “I get she was trying to state facts, but I kind of felt like the way it was said sounded victim blaming a bit,” someone reacted on r/theview subreddit. “ I don’t know, it made me uncomfortable.” “Sunny was not ‘just stating the facts’. The amount of victim blaming happening between her tone and the way she phrased things made me sick to my stomach,” another replied. “She absolutely was using archaic laws to bolster her own personal feelings,” another person added. “The victim blaming was so disgusting,” another wrote. “You’re not just stating the facts you are being insensitive.” “I’m disappointed Sunny didn’t expect more of the men in this situation. It’s why this keeps happening,” someone else said, while another posted, “She seemed very concerned about the reputation of the boys. Excuse me, men.” Others agreed with Hostin’s evaluation, citing her experience as a former prosecutor. “Blame the law, not Sunny. A prosecutor can’t make a case if the victim admits she consented,” someone said. “Sunny said she was appalled. Then she talked about the legal aspects,” another Redditor replied. “People are being emotional but aren't focusing on the fact that Sunny was speaking on the literal facts of the case and discussing the case as it relates to the law,” someone else posted. The Independent has contacted The View for comment. Attorneys representing the named fraternity members have vigorously denied the claims in the lawsuit. The decision has thrust New York's “voluntary intoxication loophole” back into the spotlight. Anti-sexual violence organizations and state lawmakers slammed the statute as outdated and harmful. Stefan Turkheimer, vice president of public policy for RAINN, labeled the legal standard “straight-up victim blaming,” warning that it deters victims from coming forward and prevents prosecutors from pursuing cases involving severe incapacitation. Efforts by state lawmakers to close the loophole have repeatedly stalled in the legislature, leaving New York as one of a dwindling number of states where voluntary intoxication cannot be used to prove incapacitation in rape cases. The Associated Press contributed reporting For those affected by rape and sexual abuse, if you are in the United States, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673). Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments