Cambridge in spotlight as rape claims at universities rise tenfold
RAPE and sexual assault reports from students have risen tenfold, with Cambridge University having among the highest number of complaints, an investigation has found.
A “blackout drinking” culture is partly to blame, victims have warned, as they claim they have been let down by a lack of systems in place to investigate and suspend alleged attackers.
The number of allegations made to universities rose from 65 in 2014 to 626 in 2018, Freedom of Information requests by Channel 4 News discovered.
Campaigners fear that this could be the “tip of the iceberg”, as they warn that universities are not equipped to deal with the growing flood of complaints and risk leaving a “generation betrayed”.
Among those who say they have been let down is a Cambridge student who claims that her college tipped off her alleged attacker when she grew frustrated at their response and called the police.
The Crown Prosecution Service and police actively encourage victims of sexual assault to come forward, despite the fact prosecution rates are falling.
Allegations involving alcohol, which is often the case in reports of attacks on campuses, are notoriously difficult to prove and are among the more difficult cases being dropped by prosecutors, charities have warned.
The University of East Anglia had the highest number of claims – 281 since 2014 – while Cambridge had 165 in the three years of data it reported and the University of Birmingham recorded 87 over five years. Each said the reports included historic allegations, many of which may have occurred off campus and did not reflect the number of incidents at the universities themselves.
The universities with the highest number of reports said that this was a
“positive indicator” and reflected the fact they had improved awareness, reporting techniques and support.
Katie Russell, a spokesman for Rape Crisis, said many universities were taking positive steps in dealing with sexual misconduct but they needed to “take responsibility and adopt a zerotolerance approach to any kind of sexist or abusive behaviour”.
Dr Emma Chapman, of the 1752 Group, which campaigns against sexual misconduct in higher education, said universities did not put the required resources into supporting victims.
“I have seen nothing which has increased my faith in universities to deal with the people coming forward,” Dr Chapman said.
“I am really pleased more people feel able to report but I hope that trust is not misplaced or we could leave a whole generation feeling betrayed.”
A Birmingham University student who alleges she was drugged and raped on a night out is among those who believe free alcohol and the culture of getting “blackout drunk” is contributing to the issues.
Cambridge, which has previously admitted it has a “significant problem” with sexual misconduct, said cases such as the woman who claimed her attacker was “tipped off ” were “exactly” why it had pushed for change.
Prof Graham Virgo, the senior provice-chancellor (education), said that the university had made a number of big changes, including an anonymous reporting tool and a campaign to raise awareness.
Some included sexual harassment in the figures provided for the Channel 4 News report, Sexual Assault on Campus, which will be broadcast tonight.
A spokesman for Universities UK said: “Our progress report found that although there is more work to be done, universities are making progress in tackling student sexual misconduct and there has been an increase in disclosures, which is considered a positive indication of cultural change.”