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Student who sues MSU over gang rape allegations says she is ‘empowered to do this’

A woman who filed a federal lawsuit against Michigan State University over allegations she was raped by three former men's basketball players in 2015 is going public, saying she is “no longer afraid.’’

EAST LANSING, Mich. - A Michigan State University student who is suing the university, claiming three former men's basketball players raped her in 2015, is going public with her story because she's "no longer afraid."

“I am coming out today because I am no longer afraid,’’ Bailey Kowalski told reporters Thursday. “I’m empowered to do this and I have nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed by.’’

She filed a federal lawsuit against the university last April and was listed only as "Jane Doe." The lawsuit does not name the three MSU basketball players.

Kowalski, 22, said she was inspired to go public after seeing victims of Larry Nassar speak out. She also said she hopes to encourage other "silent survivors" to tell their stories.

In the lawsuit, Kowalski says she was an 18-year-old MSU freshman when she met the players at an East Lansing bar. She claims she was taken to an off-campus apartment where she was gang raped. The Spartan basketball team had recently lost a 2015 NCAA Final Four game to Duke.

Kowalski says that university counselors coerced her to not report what happened to campus officials or to police.

“I want the system change,’’ Kowalski said at a news conference. “I want all people to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their status or the revenue they bring to the university.’’

 A university spokeswoman declined to comment on the case but said the school takes sexual assault and Title IX situations "very seriously."

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