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UW rape lawsuit disputes what university knew about a prior restraining order
A woman identified as A.P. alleges the University of Washington failed to protect her before she was raped at a fraternity house in 2022. UW says the earlier restraining order involving the man convicted in the case was no longer active when he enrolled.
A woman who says she was raped at a University of Washington fraternity house in 2022 is suing the university and Wyatt Ohara, who was convicted of rape in 2024, arguing UW failed to protect students despite a prior restraining order involving him and another woman.
The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court last year, identifies the plaintiff as A.P. and describes her as a UW sorority member. It alleges the university knew about a temporary civil restraining order obtained by another woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe 2, but did not adequately monitor or restrict Ohara to protect students. The order reportedly barred him from attending the same parties as that woman.
UW disputes that it had notice of an active order when Ohara enrolled. University spokesperson Victor Balta said the order was issued before Ohara and the other woman attended UW and was no longer in effect by the time they began their studies. He said UW had no knowledge of an active, court-approved restraining or protective order against Ohara when he was admitted or enrolled.
The lawsuit alleges that on Nov. 19, 2022, A.P. attended events associated with Pi Kappa Phi. It says Ohara gave her excessive amounts of alcohol, took her to the fraternity house and sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious. Ohara was convicted of rape in 2024.
UW said it investigated the assault and held a student disciplinary proceeding. The university said Ohara was permanently withdrawn and is not eligible to re-enroll. Balta also said police investigated, Ohara was prosecuted and he served jail time. UW said sexual-assault prevention and response remain priorities and that it continues to assess its prevention and support efforts.
Pi Kappa Phi’s national organization said Ohara was an associate member who had not been initiated. The organization said the chapter ended his associate membership and removed him from the facility after learning of the allegation. UW has said fraternities are independent organizations that make their own membership decisions.
A.P.’s attorneys say the case seeks accountability for her and raises broader questions about universities’ responsibilities to students involved in Greek life. The allegations in the civil lawsuit concern what UW knew and did before the assault; the university’s account of the order’s timing differs from the plaintiff’s claims about its significance.