EVANSTON, Ill. — A cheerleader has dropped her federal sexual harassment lawsuit against Northwestern University.
Hayden Richardson filed the lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois in January 2021 alleging drunken fans and alumni groped her at school-sanctioned events in 2018 and 2019 and that administrators tried to cover up her complaints.
Online court records show Richardson agreed to withdraw the lawsuit on Monday and Judge Edward Chang approved the move Tuesday. The records don’t indicate why Richardson dropped the lawsuit. Richardson’s attorney, Andrew Miltenberg, declined to comment. Northwestern attorney Alan Pittler didn’t immediately return a message.
Richardson alleged in the lawsuit that the cheer team’s coach at the time, Pam Bonnevier, required female cheerleaders to mingle with powerful donors to help bring in more money for the university. She said that older men touched her over her uniform, picked her up without her consent, made sexual comments about her appearance and offered her alcohol even though she was underage.
The lawsuit named former Athletic Director Mike Polisky as a defendant. He stepped down in May 2021 after just a week on the job, saying “current challenges” would not allow him to lead effectively and he didn’t want to be a distraction.
The Associated Press typically does not identify people who allege they are victims of sexual assault or harassment but is naming Richardson because she has spoken publicly about her allegations.
A Northwestern University cheerleader recently made headlines after withdrawing a sexual harassment lawsuit against the school. The lawsuit, which was filed earlier this year, alleged that the cheerleader had been subjected to inappropriate behavior by members of the university’s athletic department.
The cheerleader, whose identity has not been disclosed, claimed that she had been the victim of unwanted advances and comments from coaches and other staff members. She also alleged that she had been retaliated against for speaking out about the harassment.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the cheerleader decided to withdraw the lawsuit just weeks before it was set to go to trial. In a statement released by her attorney, she cited personal reasons for her decision to drop the case.
This development has sparked a debate about the prevalence of sexual harassment in collegiate sports and the challenges that victims face when coming forward with their allegations. Many are questioning whether the cheerleader was pressured to drop the lawsuit or if she simply decided that pursuing legal action was not in her best interest.
Northwestern University has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that they took the allegations seriously and conducted a thorough investigation. The school has also stated that they have implemented new policies and procedures to prevent sexual harassment in the future.
This case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding sexual harassment allegations and the difficulties that victims often face when seeking justice. It also highlights the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals to come forward with their experiences.
Moving forward, it is crucial for universities and athletic departments to take proactive measures to prevent sexual harassment and ensure that all members of their community feel respected and valued. By addressing these issues head-on, we can work towards creating a culture of accountability and support for those who have been affected by harassment.
