Florence Pugh has called for fraternity houses to be shut down after sharing a report about an alleged sexual assault at a University of Chicago fraternity party, condemning what she described as a culture that creates opportunities for rape and sexual violence. The Midsommar and Little Women star shared the report on her Instagram Story on Wednesday, 14 October, as she called for an end to fraternity culture.
'Frat houses breed possibility and opportunity for rape and sexual assault,' Pugh wrote. 'The concept, the morals and the culture is rotten. Shut these torture houses down.' She also described the issue as happening 'everywhere' and referenced the public outcry over a separate sexual assault case at Cornell University.
Florence Pugh: “Frat houses breed possibility and opportunity for rape and sexual assault. The concept, the morals and the culture is rotten. Shut these torture houses down. This is clearly happening everywhere. The Cornell 57 rage didn't reach the right people.”
by u/cmaia1503 in Fauxmoi
Florence Pugh Reacts to University of Chicago Assault Report
The article Pugh shared, published by the Chicago Sun-Times on 13 October, reported that a 21-year-old woman told police she had been sexually assaulted at an Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house near the University of Chicago campus early on Sunday, 11 October. According to the police report cited by the newspaper, the woman had been drinking and dancing at a party before she began feeling unwell.
The 21-year-old told police the assault happened during a party at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house, according to the report. Her account was backed up by two friends, who reported that they intervened by barging into the bathroom where the attack happened. https://t.co/gWbxypfJFX
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) October 13, 2026
The woman's two friends reportedly found her in a bathroom with a man while she was 'not fully conscious', according to the report. Both were partially undressed, and the woman's friends told police that a group of men tried to prevent them from entering the bathroom while allegedly cheering and appearing to encourage what was happening inside.
The report also alleged that one of the men grabbed one of the woman's friends by the hair as the other picked the bathroom lock. After they entered, one friend reportedly told the man to get off the woman, but he responded that everything was 'cool', according to the newspaper.
The woman was taken to hospital, and authorities launched an investigation into the reported assault. University officials subsequently announced that a person of interest had been identified, but police said on Wednesday, 14 October, that no one had been taken into custody.
Fraternity Denies Members Were Involved
The allegations have prompted renewed scrutiny of fraternity culture and the response of those present at the party. Alpha Epsilon Pi's national headquarters said no fraternity members were involved in or complicit in the alleged assault, while the local chapter said its members helped the woman after being alerted by one of her friends and ended the party.
The national organisation also said the chapter had been instructed not to hold events or programmes while the investigation continued. Neither the woman nor the identified person of interest was affiliated with the University of Chicago, according to the police report and university officials.
Pugh References Cornell Sexual Assault Allegations
Pugh's reference to Cornell concerns a separate case involving allegations against seven men at a Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. A former Cornell student, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 alleging that the men sexually assaulted her.
The lawsuit has renewed scrutiny of how universities respond to sexual assault allegations and whether disciplinary measures are sufficient to protect students. Cornell subsequently announced a suspension of parties and social events at fraternity houses affiliated with its Interfraternity Council for the remainder of the 2026–2027 academic year, according to reports.
Online Users Praise Women Who Intervened
Pugh's comments have sparked discussion on Reddit, where users criticised fraternity culture and praised the two women who reportedly tried to reach their friend during the alleged assault at the University of Chicago fraternity house. Some called for fraternities and sororities to be abolished, while others highlighted the women's efforts to help someone who appeared to be in danger.
'Those women who picked a lock to help the victim should be celebrated,' one commenter wrote in a post that received hundreds of upvotes. Another echoed the sentiment, writing: 'We all want friends like that. Never leave anybody behind.'
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The reactions reflect anger over the allegations and admiration for the women who reportedly intervened despite facing resistance. Pugh has called for fraternity houses to be shut down, arguing that their culture creates opportunities for rape and sexual assault as the Chicago investigation continues.
Pugh's Broader Message on Women's Safety
Pugh's call to 'shut these torture houses down' adds to her broader advocacy for women's safety and accountability. Her comments come as the University of Chicago investigation continues, although the full circumstances of the allegations against the fraternity house remain subject to investigation.
In a separate Instagram post shared weeks earlier, Pugh had also called for greater protection for women, writing: 'There is no equality until you stop damaging our souls. There is no equality until you let us live. There is no equality until we can say we feel safe. We are the life force of this earth, start f*cking protecting us. Be angry for us. Please.'
