Cornell assault allegations highlight New York's 'voluntary intoxication loophole'

Questions about this coverage

How did the left and right cover Cornell assault allegations highlight New York's 'voluntary…?

Of the 99 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 16% are rated left, 72% are rated centre, 12% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 119. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.

Is Cornell assault allegations highlight New York's 'voluntary… left or right?

The story itself is neither. What can be counted is who has covered it, and 72% of the 99 rated outlets on it are rated centre — so far this is a story carried mostly by the centre. Coverage of this one has settled, so that is unlikely to move much now.

Is the coverage of Cornell assault allegations highlight New York's 'voluntary… biased?

Cornell assault allegations highlight New York's 'voluntary intoxication loophole' is one event reported by 119 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.

Which side is not reporting Cornell assault allegations highlight New York's 'voluntary…?

When we first saw this story, outlets rated right had barely covered it. Coverage accretes for hours after an event, so that is where to look rather than a verdict — the split above is the current count, and it is the one to read.

Which outlets covered Cornell assault allegations highlight New York's 'voluntary…?

119 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.

What is the 'voluntary intoxication loophole' in New York law?

New York law makes it difficult to prosecute individuals who take advantage of others who have voluntarily become intoxicated to the point where their ability to consent to sex is compromised. Prosecutors generally need to prove force or a clear refusal of sex, unless the victim was physically helpless or mentally incapacitated due to involuntary intoxication.

What was the initial decision by the Tompkins County District Attorney?

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially decided not to file criminal charges, citing the state law that makes it difficult to prosecute cases involving voluntary intoxication. He stated the woman did not allege she was intoxicated against her will or was unconscious during the assault.

Has the investigation into the Cornell assault allegations been reopened?

Yes, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has since reopened the investigation into the Cornell assault allegations. He stated that he would consider presenting the case to a grand jury for their consideration.

Which other states have revised their sexual assault laws regarding intoxication?

Minnesota, Michigan, and Texas have revised their sexual assault laws to address voluntary intoxication. These states have moved to allow charges to be brought regardless of whether an incapacitated victim voluntarily or involuntarily became intoxicated.