Student sex attack victim says university failed to help

A VICTIM of sexual assault has accused her university of a “lack of support” following her ordeal, a court heard.

The woman, who cannot be named, said she felt “disillusioned” by York University after she was abused while she slept following a house party.

The victim woke to find Daniel Dreyfus molesting her.

Dreyfus, 23, who started a computer science postgraduate course in London after graduating from York, was jailed for 10 months at York Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to sexual assault.

Michael Collins, prosecuting, read out the victim’s impact statement, in which she said that other students had encouraged her not to speak out about what had happened and that she had received no help from the university.

“I thought it would be easier to die than live with this fear and powerlessness,” the statement read. “I feel very disillusioned with the university due to the lack of support. I could not cope with the pressure in my final year. My marks suffered and never recovered.”

The court heard that the woman’s friends had expected Dreyfus to look after her when they left her at his student house to sleep after a party there.

Judge Simon Hickey said Dreyfus, of Barnes, west London, had taken a cocktail of drugs and alcohol.

Andrew Semple, defending, said Dreyfus had behaved out of character and had since stopped drinking.

Following the case, the university said it offers students “emotional and psychological” support.

A University of York spokesman said: “We take cases of sexual violence and harassment very seriously and work closely with the Student Union, the Graduate Students’ Association, and local authorities in raising awareness ... our Open Door team provides emotional and psychological support… alongside a number of support services such as our college system, chaplaincy team, Student Union welfare and advice, Nightline and Night Safe.

“In addition, our Respect campaign for students and training for staff provide information on the support available on and off campus. Our new sexual violence digital reporting system is aimed at making it easier for students to inform the proper authorities and seek support.”

Dreyfus was put on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.