ANU sex assault case: John XXIII College accused of “shocking” comments to alleged rape victim
An alleged rape victim says an official at her Australian National University college told her “it’s a concern how you managed to get that drunk” when she made a complaint.
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A uni student who complained about being raped in an alleyway after an unsanctioned student booze-up says she was “shocked” the official investigating said to her “it’s a concern how you managed to get that drunk”.
The woman, who cannot be named, is suing Australian National University dorm, John XXIII College for negligence, claiming it did too little to prevent a frat house culture of heavy drinking and sexual misconduct.
Giving evidence in the ACT Supreme Court, the woman said the college head, Geoff Johnston, didn’t believe her and overwhelmingly took the side of her alleged attacker, who also cannot be named.
Under cross-examination on Thursday, the woman agreed Mr Johnston said to her: “It’s of concern how you managed to get that drunk”.
“I was shocked,” the woman said.
The college’s case is that the woman then “gave him a bit of a lecture about a woman has a right to go out and get as drunk as she wants to”.
The woman denied telling him he had “no right to say that” but said his comments were “extremely” insensitive and inappropriate.
The woman has no memory of the alleged attack, in an alleyway near Canberra bar Mooseheads, following an unsanctioned “pub golf” drinking event.
The woman claims the investigation into her alleged attacker was one-sided, and said of one of the meetings: “If he made any comment that he believed me, it was followed by things such as … ‘I’m not very sure anything happened in the alleyway”.
The college’s case is that the investigation into the allegation was fair to both the woman and her alleged attacker, and that she was repeatedly told she could go to police.
The woman told the court: “ (Mr Johnston) said it’s up to you to go to police, if you do, he’ll probably be kicked out of ANU”.
The woman, who went on to graduate with strong academic results, told the court she has since struggled to hold down a job, while her friends have gone on to high-paying corporate or legal jobs.
“Getting through each day takes a lot of effort,” she said.
“I feel aimless … I just feel like I exist, I’m not really present.
“I spend a lot of effort putting on a brave face.”
The trial, before Justice Michael Elkaim, continues.