Judge: Federal lawsuit against Baylor University can proceed
HOUSTON — A lawsuit filed against Baylor University by 10 women alleging they were sexually assaulted while students can proceed, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
The women, identified as “Jane Doe” plaintiffs, allege Baylor was indifferent to or ignored claims of sexual assault and didn’t enforce federal general discrimination protections.
Baylor had sought to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing the former students’ allegations were insufficient to state a claim of liability and the women had failed to plausibly allege they were subjected to “further” harassment after reporting their initial sexual assaults.
The university faces several federal lawsuits from women who say Baylor mishandled, ignored or suppressed their claims of assault for years, including several cases involving football players. The school also faces a federal civil rights investigation.