Two more women have added their names to a list of six women suing the University of Tennessee alleging the university has created a “hostile sexual environment.”
The two women named in the suit as Jane Doe VII and Jane Doe VIII said they were assaulted by former Tennessee Wide Receiver Von Pearson and now suspended newcomer Alexis Johnson, respectively.
The lawsuit also alleges Head Football Coach Butch Jones told former player Drae Bowles that he was "disappointed in Bowles and that he had betrayed the team" after Bowles came to the aid of rape victim, named as Jane Doe IV. Bowles "became extremely upset, broke down and cried."
She says Bowles found her distraught and hyperventilating after she was raped by AJ Johnson and Mike Williams. Bowles encouraged her to call 911, go to the hospital and report the players responsible.
The suit also claims Bowles was attacked by teammates twice after that night in retaliation and the coaches knew about it.
Plaintiffs say Jones later called Bowles to apologize for what he said, but according to the suit Jones told the team to stay away from Bowles, taking no action against his attackers.
Bowles later transferred to UT Chattanooga.
Jones released the following statement Wednesday night:
"The assertion that I ever attempted to belittle or demean a young man for taking action to help another person is absolutely false. To the contrary, I did all I could to assist the former student in question. During the course of the judicial process, campus officials, as well as the young man's own words, will clearly establish that I have done nothing wrong. I will fight all of these false attacks on my character, and I know that once this process has been completed, my reputation will be affirmed."
The amended lawsuit was filed in Nashville by attorney David Randolph Smith Feb. 24.
The suit stated Tennessee's policies made students more vulnerable to sexual assault and had a "clearly unreasonable response" after incidents that caused the women making complaints to endure additional harassment.
The suit also stated the university interfered with the disciplinary process to favor male athletes.
The coaches of UT voiced their support for Butch Jones and his football program Wednesday – weeks after the suit made national headlines.
Karen Weekly, the head softball coach at UT, said Jones and the football program have been nothing but supportive.
Weekly said, "The culture here right now is the best it's ever been and like Rick said, those stories aren't being told. And the image that's being displayed of our culture is unfair and that's why we're here today, we want people to hear the positive."
An attorney representing UT released the following statement Wednesday:
"The University has reviewed the amended complaint filed today by the plaintiffs and we continue to stand by our actions. The facts, as opposed to allegations in a complaint, will demonstrate that the University acted properly in the matters at issue. We have continuously worked hard to improve our processes and our procedures to ensure that we are doing all that we can to prevent incidents of assault, to support victims of assault and to pursue justice while ensuring due process for those accused. We will vigorously defend all claims in the amended complaint.
The University is issuing this statement to lessen the potential harmful effects narrative in the amended complaint has on the University’s continuing efforts to encourage survivors to come forward and report sexual assaults and its efforts to educate students about the issue of sexual assault. The University will not allow this lawsuit to detract from those efforts."
To read the updated lawsuit in its entirety CLICK HERE.
