More than a year after it was filed, Florida State University has settled a federal lawsuit with Erica Kinsman, the former FSU student who said she was raped by quarterback Jameis Winston in 2012.
FSU has agreed to pay Jameis Winston accuser $950K to settle lawsuit. #FSUTwitter
— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) January 25, 2016
The university will pay Kinsman $950,000, which includes attorney fees, and will make a five-year commitment to awareness, prevention and training programs.
“I will always be disappointed that I had to leave the school I dreamed of attending since I was little,” Kinsman said in a statement. “I am happy that FSU has committed to continue making changes in order to ensure a safer environment for all students.”
Kinsman alleged in her lawsuit that Florida State was “deliberately indifferent” to her sexual assault claim against Winston and that the university was “clearly unreasonable.” She said the investigation was obstructed by FSU so that Winston could continue to play football. She claimed Winston raped her in his apartment after they met at a bar near the campus, and the investigation reportedly sat dormant for nine months before criminal charges were declined to be filed. Winston was ultimately not found responsible for sexual misconduct.
She ended up leaving FSU in late 2013 and argued continued harassment denied her further educational opportunities.
FSU tried to dismiss her lawsuit, but it was ruled in August to proceed.
FSU has since created the “kNow MORE” campaign, which provides resources for sexual assault victims and educates the university population on topics like consent and prevention. They also hired a new Title IX coordinator, published a Victims’s Rights and Resources handbook, and added six positions related to on-campus safety.
It’s a victory for Kinsman today, but her case against Winston, who she sued in April (he countersued), is still pending in U.S District Court.
