The UW-Madison student who said she was raped at the Sigma Chi fraternity house in October 2008 filed a lawsuit against the fraternity's UW-Madison chapter and its national headquarters last week.
The woman, who was allegedly drugged and raped several times after a UW-Madison football game last fall, came forward to the media with her story in February. She has now filed a civil lawsuit against the fraternity claiming it was negligence by Sigma Chi that caused her injuries.
Joel DeSpain, public information officer for the Madison Police Department, said he was unable to comment on the lawsuit, but said that a detective has been assigned to the case.
DeSpain said the woman underwent an examination on Oct. 5 and reported the incident to the police on Oct. 20.
Although UW-Madison officials say they have not seen the lawsuit, Associate Dean of Students Kevin Helmkamp said in a statement that UW-Madison would further investigate the incident if it were requested by the woman.
A victim who has already faced a difficult and challenging road recovering from her or his experience must be given a measure of control of their case,"" he said. ""And it is entirely voluntary for she or he to pursue a criminal, student discipline or student organization complaint when appropriate.""
According to Helmkamp, the fraternity was sanctioned because of alcohol-related misconduct during the spring semester of 2009.
The plaintiff's attorney, Robert Elliot, said he was unable to comment on the case.
