A lawyer representing a University of San Diego student who says she was raped and the university mishandled her case is preparing to sue the school a second time.
Attorney Dan Gilleon plans to file another civil lawsuit against the private Catholic university this week.
His latest client says she was raped in her dorm room in February 2014. Gilleon says the university's Title IX coordinators told his client not to go to the police. Title IX is a federal law banning sex discrimination in education.
“They actually told her and her mom if you go to the police department, we’re not going to be able to help you on this,” said Gilleon. “They took it as a threat, if you go to the police you’re on your own."
Pamela Gray Payton, a spokesperson for the university, told KPBS that would not be in keeping with university protocol on these matters. She said she finds it personally hard to believe. Payton said the university cannot comment on lawsuits.
Gilleon says he has been contacted by a total of five women alleging the university mishandled rape allegations.
The first lawsuit, filed by Gilleon in March, is on behalf of a USD student who alleges she was raped by two law students. The lawsuit says the school held a hearing on the case and found his client’s allegations did not meet the school’s standard of evidence for guilt.
