The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civils Rights confirmed that the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is being investigated by the federal government in regards to allegations of sexual violence at the school, according to Anita Wadhwani of The Tennessean. School officials indicated to Wadhwani that they were still "in the process of collecting and preparing information the Office of Civil Rights has requested." The case comes as a result of an individual filing a complaint with the federal government regarding the university's response to a report of sexual violence, according to an email sent to UT faculty, staff and students by UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek.
Unfortunately for the university, numerous Tennessee Volunteers football players are among those named as suspects in alleged sexual assault and sexual violence cases on the campus.
Defensive back Michael Williams was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape in Feb. and two addition counts of aggravated rape as allegedly having "aided and abetted" another individual.
Former Vols linebacker A.J. Johnson was named as a suspect in a Nov. 16 incident - along with Williams - which allegedly occurred at Johnson's off-campus apartment. The alleged victim was a female student-athlete who no longer attends the university. Johnson has, through his attorney, denied the allegations. His invite to last year's NFL combine was rescinded.
Vols wide receiver Von Pearson was suspended indefinitely by the team after he was identified as a suspect in the alleged rape of a 19-year-old university student. No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made in the case, per Wadhwani and Matt Slovin.
Senior defensive back Riyahd Jones was named as a suspect in a reported sexual assault in early Feb. As of Jan. 2, Jones is no longer a member of the football team, though no charges have been filed.
Martin Lane, a former Vols running back, was named as a suspect in April 2013 in connection with the alleged rape of an 18-year-old high school student in his dorm room. Lane was suspended by the team for "disciplinary reasons" and the case was handed to the Knox County district attorney, who did not prosecute after the alleged victim declined to press charges. Lane was reinstated and has since graduation.
An unnamed Tennessee player, who remains on the team, was named in a sexual assault complaint in Sep. by a female freshman, according to Wadhwani. UT officials investigated the matter and determined that not assault occurred and that it was "consensual sex."
Tennessee won't be the first school, or likely the last, to face such an investigation. Per Wadhwani, there are 135 cases under investigation for sexual violence at 121 post-secondary institutions as of July 15. Vanderbilt and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are both among them.
Florida State has also dealt with serious backlash in recent weeks after a string of football player arrests for sexual violence.
