The University of Tennessee has settled a lawsuit alleging that the university created a culture that allowed sexual assault to happen.
According to WVLT in Knoxville, UT settled the suit by agreeing to pay $2.48 million.
In the lawsuit, eight women claimed they were sexually assaulted by male athletes. The lawsuit claimed the school did little to punish the athletes. Thus, promoted a culture of sex abuse at the university.
David Randolph Smith of Nashville, who represents the eight plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed February 24, said, “My clients and I are dismissing the lawsuit with prejudice and signed the settlement agreement.
We are satisfied that, while universities everywhere struggle with these issues, the University of Tennessee has made significant progress in the way they educate and respond to sexual assault cases. My clients and I are also convinced that the University’s leadership is truly committed to continue its exemplary efforts to create a model as it relates to sexual misconduct."
“If we all can look ahead,” Smith said, “and imagine our state’s flagship university as a leader in awareness, education, support and aggressive response to these issues, this lawsuit and the resulting outcome would have contributed in a small way to the safety, well-being and hopeful futures of many young people who from time to time call the University of Tennessee home.”
Attorneys representing UT said the UT Knoxville Athletics Department and UT Knoxville Central Administration would split the $2.48 million settlement payment.
