Cornell 7 · Mandated reporters

Why the Cornell 7 case matters: listening when children report abuse

When someone reports sexual violence and the people responsible for acting don’t, the harm doesn’t end. For children, it starts early.

The Cornell 7 case

In September 2026, a Cornell University student filed a lawsuit alleging she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven students at a fraternity house in 2024, and that the university failed to protect her or hold them accountable. After public scrutiny, the Tompkins County District Attorney reopened the case. The case has put a national spotlight on what happens when someone reports sexual violence and the response falls short.

Sources: The Ithaca Voice · CBC · NBC

It starts with how mandated reporters respond

How a mandated reporter responds the first time a child reports abuse shapes whether that child will ever report again. Court-appointed therapists and evaluators, school nurses, school psychologists and guidance counselors are all required by New York law to report suspected abuse. When they ignore a child, disbelieve them, or let the child be punished for speaking up, children learn early that telling doesn’t help.

What happened here

We are aware of these instances in which abuse was reported to Karrie Damm-Stewart or her office:

A child told Karrie Damm-Stewart and her therapy interns that she was being abused at home. She was not believed. No report was made to CPS.
A child reported multiple physical assaults. Nothing happened. Karrie Damm-Stewart did not report it to CPS.
A child reported an incident, with proof provided by a doctor’s investigation. Karrie Damm-Stewart represented the abusive parent. Nothing was mentioned in her court paperwork.
A victim of abuse reported it during testimony. Karrie Damm-Stewart didn’t report it in any of her findings.

Karrie Damm-Stewart is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Under New York Social Services Law § 413, licensed marriage and family therapists are mandated reporters.

New York Social Services Law § 413(1)(a)

Who is required to report

“The following persons and officials are required to report or cause a report to be made in accordance with this title when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in their professional or official capacity is an abused or maltreated child … any physician; … psychologist; registered nurse; social worker; … licensed marriage and family therapist; licensed mental health counselor; … school official, which includes but is not limited to school teacher, school guidance counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, school nurse, school administrator or other school personnel required to hold a teaching or administrative license or certificate; … social services worker; … mental health professional; …”

Excerpt. Full text: NY State Senate, Social Services Law § 413 · OCFS Summary Guide for Mandated Reporters (PDF)

What happens to children when adults don’t act

Children abused by relatives face more disbelief when they tell, and negative reactions in childhood are linked to more PTSD symptoms later. (Ullman, Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 2007)
Fear of not being believed and fear of the consequences are major reasons children delay telling, or never tell. (Alaggia, Collin-Vézina & Lateef, Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 2019)
About 48% of child sexual abuse survivors are sexually victimized again later in life. (Walker et al., meta-analysis of 80 studies, 2019)
Negative reactions to disclosure are linked to sexual revictimization. (Fereidooni, Daniels & Lommen, systematic review, 2024)
When institutions respond to reports with inaction or retaliation, people report more PTSD, depression and anxiety, and are less likely to seek help again. (Smith & Freyd, “Institutional Betrayal,” 2014)
The more types of abuse and household dysfunction a child experiences, the higher their adult risk of violence, victimization, mental illness and early death. (Felitti et al., Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, 1998)
Children with sexual behavior problems who received 12 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy had 2% future sex offenses over ten years, compared with 10% after play therapy. Early, proper help works. (Carpentier, Silovsky & Chaffin, 2006)

Hold them accountable

Did a mandated reporter fail to act when your child reported abuse?

Tell us who was told and what they did.

Share your story