(Image source from: News.com.au)

A student and sports medicine intern in the athletic department at the University of California in Berkeley accused the school's football team Golden Bears' members of sexual harassment by players, coaches and staff members.

Paige Cornelius made allegations in a Facebook post that she was sexually harassed by the team coaches and players in the department.

The University has taken the allegations to its Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination and subsequently issued a statement saying they are aware of the allegations and disciplinary action will be taken.

Cornelius tried approaching the athletic directors and another football coach for help but her efforts were unanswered and it was then she decided to talk about it on her social media.

In her Facebook post, she wrote, that one of the assistant coaches told her, "I will get you fired if you do not have sex with me." She mentioned how the other members passed on obscene comments during the practice sessions.

                       (Image source from: Daily Mail)

During her first practice session, she went through a horrific experience as one of the staff members even followed her home once. She mentioned that the coach is still a part of the Cal Football. So there were several instances when she was constantly subjected to sexual harassment.

According to ESPN, the assistant coach who demanded sex is no more with the university.

Following the incident, Cornelius was suffering from anxiety and stress and thus had 'medically withdrawn' from the school. Currently, she is seeking intensive therapy for it. She had been working as Cal athletics marketing intern from the year 2018.

"I’m in college this is normal, or what has been normalized, and I expected to get this from the players," Cornelius wrote. "What I did not expect was the ruthless, endless, and persistent sex harassment from the coaches." She wrote a strong message to the whole department for ignoring her constant complaints.

By Sowmya Sangam