Always Choose the Bear: The Cornell 7

**Trigger Warning - Discussion of Sexual Assault**

Mel and Claire, AKA The Salty Hoes, record at 6 a.m. from home to discuss the Cornell University sexual assault case and ask the question: Have you tried not sexually assaulting women? They give a trigger warning and recap what’s been reported: Jane Doe attended a fraternity house, used alcohol and drugs, and was allegedly gang raped by seven men after becoming unable to consent; a Snapchat thread of about 57 men included an invitation described as “free pussy,” with most bystanders doing nothing, while one man later screenshot the thread and gave it to Jane Doe. They criticize the local DA for not bringing charges, Cornell’s handling (including limited expulsions/suspensions, “reflective” assignments, and denial of a tuition refund when she requested time off), and cite Cornell stats on reported sexual assault and low expulsion rates. They connect the case to broader rape culture, victim-blaming, underreporting, Title IX limitations, and urge men to intervene in everyday moments starting with simply saying “Hey” to stop harmful behavior.

00:00 Podcast Intro Banter00:34 Early Morning Recording01:23 Trigger Warning Topic Setup02:24 Cornell Case Recap03:50 Snapchat Thread Bystanders08:40 Cornell Stats Title IX Failures12:38 Why Campus Assault Persists15:30 Personal Story Helping Drunk Friend19:24 Cornell Discipline Cover Up22:41 Victim Impact Doxxing Fears30:44 Culture Backlash Title IX Limits37:23 Root Cause Dehumanizing Women39:37 When Men Close Ranks41:35 Repair Not Rug Sweep41:56 Good Men Benefit Too44:29 Performative Allyship46:34 Party Story Me Too Panic48:57 Call Out Your Friends52:04 Women’s Safety Calculus52:53 Catcalling Starts Young54:13 Train Platform Intervention56:31 Stop Playing Hero58:59 Ask Learn Listen01:02:45 Small Acts Big Change01:04:33 Challenge to Salty Bros01:05:06 Wrapping Up and Next Time