Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
Florence Pugh Calls on Men to Speak Up After Cornell Rape Allegations, Says Instagram Censored Her Post
Florence Pugh urged men to speak out against sexual violence after a civil lawsuit accused seven Cornell University fraternity members of drugging and raping a woman in 2024. The actor said Instagram blocked her post, which she then re-shared.
Florence Pugh is calling on men to speak up about violence against women after a civil lawsuit accused seven fraternity members at Cornell University of drugging and raping a female student in 2024. The actor said Instagram blocked her initial post on the matter, and she shared a screenshot of the censorship with a pointed response.
The lawsuit, filed on September 16 by a woman identified as Jane Doe, alleges that seven men from the university's Chi Phi fraternity chapter drugged and raped her in 2024. The filing includes a screenshot of a Snapchat message that appears to show one of the defendants inviting other fraternity members to take part in the assault. According to BBC News, the allegations have prompted New York state prosecutors to reopen a criminal inquiry.
Pugh, known for her roles in Marvel films and independent cinema, wrote in her original Instagram post that she was «enraged» by the news. «I know this has happened before, and I hate the idea of it happening again,» she wrote. «This is really the moment where we need our men to be as horrified and as sickened as us. You need to be leading conversations about how we change the allowance and complicity of this behaviour as much as we are. How can you expect us to trust that it's 'not all men' when in moments like this, many of you stay quiet?»
The post was subsequently blocked by the platform and, at the time of writing, is not visible on her profile page. Pugh shared a screenshot of the blocked post with the caption: «Instagram decided to block my post from getting in front of the right people. Tut tut tut. Oh dear. That doesn't look great does it? Here's another go at it in case you were one of those people that can no longer see my post.» She also addressed the removal in several Instagram stories that have since circulated online.
The case has drawn wider attention beyond Pugh's comments. Former «South Park» writer Toby Morton launched a website dedicated to documenting the account of the woman identified as Jane Doe, saying «there will be accountability.» The website aims to gather and present information about the case, which has become a focal point for discussions about campus sexual assault, fraternity culture, and the handling of such allegations by universities and law enforcement.
The lawsuit's allegations have also renewed scrutiny of how sexual assault claims are processed at Cornell and other universities. The reopening of the criminal inquiry by New York state prosecutors suggests the case is being taken seriously at the state level, though no criminal charges have been announced. The civil suit continues to move through the courts.
Pugh's decision to speak out — and her criticism of Instagram's moderation — highlights the role public figures can play in amplifying stories that might otherwise remain confined to court filings. Her message focused specifically on the responsibility of men to engage in conversations about consent, complicity, and accountability, rather than leaving the burden solely on women.
For those affected by sexual harassment, assault, or rape, support is available. In the UK, the charity Rape Crisis offers help and information. In the US, RAINN provides resources and assistance.
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