I was nearly involved in a sexual assault case in college. 7 of us were in my dorm room, watching a movie on my computer. 3 girls, 4 guys, including myself. My

I was nearly involved in a sexual assault case in college. 7 of us were in my dorm room, watching a movie on my computer. 3 girls, 4 guys, including myself. My roommate and I had our beds bunked, him on the bottom, me up top. The accuser was laying next to my roommate on his bunk, I was laying on mine, everyone else was in chairs. The accuser, like halfway through the movie abruptly gets up and leaves without saying a word. Not a "no", "stop" or anything. Just silence and left. The 6 of us remain were like wtf? Then finished the movie and watched another. The next week, one of the other girls told us guys something to the effect of: "you won't believe the shit I'm hearing. (Accuser) is saying she was sexually assaulted by you guys the night we were watching movies. And I know that didnt happen, I was right there." We knew we didn't do anything, but we're scared shitless. One of the guys was an international student and was worried about being deported if expelled while on his student visa. We nipped it in the bud by the lot of us going immediately to the Dean of Students to address it. He hadn't even heard the accusation yet. He believed us that the accusation was bullshit (the accusation was that somone unhooked her bra without her consent). 6 people vs 1 helped a lot. This was in 2000 and Universities assuming guilt was already prevalent then. We were pretty terrified. I dont know what the accuser's thoughts were. Maybe she was seeking attention. I just dont know and nearly 20 years later, don't care. But she traumatized 6 people with a false allegation spread by rumors. All of that said, it's important to investigate ALL allegations of assault/abuse, but it's simultaneously important to not rush to judgement and assume guilt. Due process is prescribed in the US Constitution for a reason. (Admittedly this might not hold for all private schools, but it should still be a guiding principle.)