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Baylor Settles Suit That Alleged Rape ‘Culture of Violence’

AUSTIN, Texas — Baylor University has settled a federal lawsuit filed by a former student who said she was gang raped by two football players and alleged the program at the nation’s largest Baptist school fostered a “culture of violence.”

The settlement is one of several in recent weeks as Baylor moves to close out lawsuits filed in the aftermath of an investigation into how the school handled reports of sexual and physical assaults for years. The probe led to the firing of former football coach Art Briles and the departure of former school President Ken Starr.

Settling with “Elizabeth Doe” disposes of a case brought by a woman who alleged knowledge of at least 52 acts of rape by more than 30 football players over several years. The case was explosive when it was first filed in January, as it challenged Baylor’s previous acknowledgement of 17 reports of sexual and physical attacks involving 19 players.

The lawsuit didn’t detail all of the alleged attacks but said some were recorded by players and shared with their friends.

Details of the settlement announced Tuesday were not disclosed. The woman’s attorney, John Clune, said the deal was reached within the last week.

“She feels really grateful to resolve the case, grateful to Baylor. We’ve had really a productive dialogue with the university, not just about the settlement, but about what happened to her and how to move forward,” Clune said.

Clune credited new Baylor President Linda Livingstone with pushing Baylor to address the lawsuits and how it can improve its response to sexual assault in the future.

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