A lawsuit filed yesterday claims the University of Tennessee does not take sexual assault serious enough. Six women are suing UT saying those in authority were indifferent about rapes by UT football and basketball players. The women claim that indifference creates a ‘hostile sexual environment’ for female students. They go on to say the ‘unreasonable response’ after rapes leads to additional harassment.

UT’s Response;  “Any assertion that we do not take sexual assault seriously enough is simply not true.”

Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, Athletic Department Director Dave Hart and UT Football Coach Butch Jones are also named in the suit.

The document alleges UT leaders were responsible for interfering in the disciplinary process in favor of male athletes charged with rape. It also says UT leaders supported, maintained and controlled environments for basketball and football players that encouraged underage drinking, drug use and rape. The document claims the women victims were unlawfully discriminated against.