FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A former student has sued Texas Christian University, claiming that the school failed to protect her from a gang rape by three members of athletic teams.
In court papers, the young woman, identified only as K.S., charges that a sexual harassment officer urged her not to report the alleged attack, saying her life would be easier if she "kept quiet," ABC News reported.
Criminal charges against the three athletes, two basketball players and a football player, were dropped. The university says that they were "permanently separated" from Texas Christian after the alleged assault.
L. Todd Kelly, the lawyer representing K.S., said that the university put financial considerations ahead of other students' safety. He said that what he described as a "brutal gang rape" had a major effect on his client.
"She went from an outgoing young 18-year-old girl to a very shy and timid 20-year-old," he said. "She is still seeking psychological treatment and trying to go back to school, though it's been difficult. She tries to keep to herself as much as possible."
