A former University of Evansville student is suing the school, alleging that she was assaulted by former men’s basketball coach Walter McCarty and that the school failed to create a safe environment.
In a Title IX lawsuit, the former student and athletic trainer, identified as Jane Doe, alleges McCarty sent her inappropriate messages on social media and via text. She claims those messages led to him pressuring her to visit his home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her on Dec. 9, 2019, according to ESPN.
Three says after the assault, the woman sought counseling from a campus counselor and filed and anonymous report online with the university through Crime Stoppers. She claims she was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The lawsuit also claims that the university received other complaints of alleged inappropriate conduct by McCarty. He was hired in March of 2018 and fired Jan. 21, 2020, amid a university investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct.
"The female students and employees who experienced this pattern of harassment and sexual misconduct are real people, real women who simply wanted a safe environment to learn and work in, and our university failed us," the woman said in a news release.
"I am heartbroken that my school knew about Coach McCarty's misconduct before what happened to me, and looked the other way. I will continue to go through this difficult process of holding the university accountable, because I want to prevent other women from going through the same thing I did."
According to the Courier Press, the University of Evansville stated it “disputes the legal claims from Jane Doe and her attorney. The University is confident it responded appropriately to all reports of misconduct regarding Mr. McCarty based on information it actually knew at the time; the University is similarly confident it responded reasonably to Jane Doe’s report.”
The suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
McCarty denied the allegations in a statement to ESPN.
