Texas State community holds demonstration to stand with Jane Doe

Texas State community holds demonstration to stand with Jane Doe Categories: Features News University Texas State community holds demonstration to stand with Jane Doe Abby Cho, News Contributor October 14, 2026 Arabella DiChristina Texas State psychology senior, Paige Trapp, hands out “Jane Doe” flyers to students passing on Oct. 5, 2026, at The Fighting Stallions. Texas State students gathered at The Fighting Stallions to show support for Jane Doe and advocate for sexual assault awareness. From Sept. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025, Texas State reported a total of 636 reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, with zero of the reports leading to disciplinary action against students or teachers, according to the Texas State Sexual Misconduct Report Log. In the 2026 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, there was about a 31% decrease in rape since the years prior to 2025, with 20 reported in 2025, 29 in 2024 and 2023. 18 of the 20 rapes reported in 2025 occurred in a residential facility. However, reports of sexual violence continue to be documented today. On Oct. 5, three students started handing out small flyers containing a doll shape with the words “Hi, I am Jane Doe” and a number ranging up to 636 to represent Texas State students who reported their sexual assault, which led to no disciplinary action last year, according to psychology senior Paige Trapp. Jane Doe flyers made by Texas State psychology senior Paige Trapp, where it was handed out on Oct. 5, 2026, at The Fighting Stallions. (Arabella DiChristina) Trapp said she created the flyers and organized the “Bobcats Stand with Jane Doe” demonstration due to the climbing numbers of sexual assault cases at Texas State. “With the excitement of the Cornell Seven case, I figure this is a great time to raise awareness, with zero of the reported cases resulting in no disciplinary action,” Trapp said. Filed in September, the Cornell Seven case is an ongoing criminal investigation involving a former Cornell University student who alleges that seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity drugged and gang-raped her in October 2024. On September 16, 2026, she filed a 101-page civil lawsuit against the seven men, Cornell University, and others allegedly involved in the assault. “I hope that [by] raising awareness about this we can invest university dollars and funding into evidence-based practices for reducing sexual violence on campus,” Trapp said. Trapp said she has to do something to help the women who have suffered. She said it’s rewarding to volunteer at the Hays County Women’s Center and hear the stories of women who have been involved in sexual violence. “I think I am someone who has had a lot of experience with violence and I’m just so angry, and I can’t sit still, and I had to do something about it,” Trapp said. Trapp said she has a petition online that demands Title IX transparency, institutional accountability, and implementation of evidence-based sexual violence prevention interventions. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, including sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of sex-based harassment. At public universities such as Texas State University, students can report these incidents to any mandated reporter, including professors, teaching assistants, resident assistants, student employees and administrators. However, mandated reporters are not allowed to keep the report confidential and must report to Texas State’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX; there are exceptions with Texas State’s Counseling Center, Student Health Center and Attorney for students who can keep a student’s report confidential. Abby Howell, psychology junior, said it is important to raise awareness about every surround sexual assault. “If we fix how we act regarding our Title IX program, that will make more people feel more comfortable coming forward, especially if they feel like something’s going to be done about the harm that has been inflicted upon them,” Howell said. Howell said the high-profile Cornell Seven case has brought renewed attention to sexual violence, an issue she believes is often overlooked. “I think people should know there is nothing to be ashamed about and it’s not your fault that it happened,” Howell said. Matthew Tobias, business junior, said after taking one of the Jane Doe flyers, he wanted to help advocate for sexual violence awareness. “Students need to be mad for both men and women getting raped. This is something that I had to come out here to advocate because this is like this is getting very out of control in this country, and there’s nothing they’re doing to stop this from happening,” Tobias said. Tobias said it is important to bring light to sexual assault topics, even when it’s not making headlines on the news. “It feels like I built up a lot of fire inside me because it’s so common now. And sometimes there’s nothing that the news can do about these rape cases,” Tobias said. Trapp said she will continue to fight for the 636 cases that deserve justice and will not stop until her job is done. “I will not be done until there is tangible evidence that the violence we experience is less. I will continue doing whatever I have to do to get the anger out of me, but also to make people pay attention,” Trapp said. At Texas State, students can report sex-based discrimination or sexual assault to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or at Elliot Hall on the third floor. 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story More to Discover More in Features Austin City Limits Music Festival TXST couple retires after roughly decade of supporting student success Take your concerns to the ballot box Locking down the thrash metal scene: Local band releases first EP 'Cats look to get first conference win vs Colorado State Lucky Cruz finishes in the top 15 at the Testudo Cup More in News UPD investigates burglary, indecent assault at Cypress Breast cancer awareness is key to survival UPD searching for man accused of indecent exposure at the Meadows Center Scooter safety concerns arise at Texas State Rio Vista fencing, entry fees led to a cleaner park Housing enforces new security policy at Castro Hall More in University Some reported crimes slightly decrease, despite increase in enrollment Faculty senate voices parking concerns Missing Texas State student’s remains identified after nearly six years Judge rules in former history professor’s favor amidst lawsuit Abbott directs three-year degree framework to lower costs TXST sets another enrollment record with preliminary fall figures