New Sexual Assault Lawsuit 2016 Filed Against University of Tennessee Football Players

On Tuesday, a lawsuit was filed against the University of Tennessee. The suit was filed by six women who claimed that the university "enabled an environment of bad behavior and used a disciplinary system that favored the (football) players." A number of the University's current and former players were named in the suit, including one former basketball player, three former football players, and one current football player.

From the Tennessean: 

In making its case that the university enabled an environment of bad behavior and used a disciplinary system that favored the players, the lawsuit cited more than a dozen incidents involving football players that included underage drinking, sexual harassment, assault, armed robbery and sexual assaults that did not involve the Jan Doe plaintiffs. Some of the incidents cited have previously never been reported.

UT created a hostile sexual environment for female students by showing "deliberate indifference and a clearly unreasonable response after a sexual assault that causes a student to endure additional harassment," according to the lawsuit.

The players accused are A.J. Johnson (football), Michael Williams (football), Riyahd Jones (football), Yemi Makanjuola (basketball), and a current player on the football team listed as "John Doe."

Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart and football coach Butch Jones were named by the plaintiffs as being negligent toward the situation--saying that they were aware of the ongoings with the football team, but still chose to put the interest of the team over the victims of the assaults.

However, the school claimed no wrongdoing. Bill Ramsey, the university's legal council, released this statement:

"In the situations identified in the lawsuit filed today; the University acted lawfully and in good faith, and we expect a court to agree."

The six women are seeking compensation on their tuition, as well as other related expenses as a result of the sexual assaults. 

This isn't the first time a suit has been filed against the school, either. In 2012 a lawsuit alleging gender discrimination was filed against the University.