Lawsuit claims University of Washington failed to protect student in 2022 sexual assault

We begin tonight with a lawsuit filed against the University of Washington and a former fraternity member after a student was raped at a UW fraternity house in 2022. The suspect in that case pleaded guilty a few years ago. Now this lawsuit claims that UW knew about the man's history and failed to prevent students from being victimized. Fox 13's Jennifer Dowling talked to students on the campus about how they're feeling and is joining us live with those details. Good evening. Students told me tonight that they're not surprised there was a report of an assault. They say that assaults happen on campuses frequently nationwide. However, they're hoping that eventually something will change. It's always when will we find out, not whether it happened, and that's always really frustrating. At the University of Washington, students are very aware of the Cornell 7 lawsuit. I feel like that kind of rape culture has been super normalized in college campuses. Now a new case is hitting closer to home with the Huggins Berman Law Firm filing a lawsuit against the University of Washington and Wyatt O'Hara, stating that a woman in a sorority known as AP was victimized by the member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity in November of 2022. I'm not sure the details of the case, but definitely anybody who turned a blind eye or something should be looked into. The lawsuit alleges that AP was a minor and attended two parties where she was served excess alcohol. It goes on to say the woman was completely unconscious, immobile, and intoxicated during the encounter. It goes on to state that fellow students attempted to go into O'Hara's room, but it was locked. And later, he admitted to having sexual intercourse and pleaded guilty to rape in 2024. The suit then blames UW, saying the university was aware of his previous inappropriate behavior and has the duty to monitor or restrict the students' behavior. It also says the university has a special relationship with Greek organizations and has the duty to prevent its students from being sexually victimized by other students during university-affiliated events. If it came out that they had turned a blind eye, it would be not shocking, but definitely disappointing, definitely unacceptable. Some students say it hasn't impacted their sense of safety because it's been a problem for so long. I'm feeling safe only because this kind of awareness isn't new to me. I feel like as a woman, everywhere I go, I'm kind of aware that there is danger and finding out that there's an active case doesn't really change that for me. And the university sent out a statement saying it's committed to preventing sexual assault and wrote that O'Hara was withdrawn from the school and the case was investigated, resulting in jail time served. As for O'Hara's alleged past behavior, the university says a court approved restraining or protective orders against him were not in effect while he attended this university. Reporting live at the University of Washington, Jennifer Dowling, Fox 13 News. Thanks for watching!