Rape victim in Freshers’ Week plea that EVERY new student should read...
She urges: Look out for one another
A WOMAN who fought for justice after being raped on a university night out has issued a warning to students as Freshers’ Week begins.
The graduate, being named only as Miss M, has spoken out about her appalling ordeal to urge revellers to take greater responsibility for protecting each other during this week’s festivities.
She was out with friends at the beginning of her second year of studies at the University of St Andrews when she was raped by Stephen Coxen.
When she reported the attack to police, Coxen was charged and taken to court – but a jury returned a verdict of not proven.
Furious at the criminal justice system that did not believe her, she successfully sued her attacker after a sheriff in a civil court agreed that Coxen had raped her.
This Friday marks exactly six years since she went on the night out that ended in tragedy.
To mark the first anniversary without a court case hanging over her, she has chosen to speak out to try to prevent further attacks.
Speaking exclusively to The Scottish Mail on Sunday yesterday, the 24-year-old said: ‘Usually as Freshers’ Week approaches I am reminded of the rape I endured and how it tarnished my university experience. But this year is different – it is the first anniversary of having justice. As students return to university I would like to ask them to look out for each other’.
Miss M, who now works at the university, added: ‘It’s crucial to remember that those who are to blame are the rapists who commit the crimes, but I want to spread the message to try to help those around you where possible, if someone appears to be in difficulty.
‘Some time after my attack I saw a girl who was the worse for wear and when I asked if she was OK, and if she knew who she was with, she didn’t. I was able to check her phone and contact her mum, who came to collect her.
‘It’s just about helping each other. There’s no harm in asking if someone is OK.’
Miss M fought for five years to get justice after Coxen, from Bury, Greater Manchester, raped her on a night out in St Andrews, Fife, in September 2013. Coxen was 18 at the time and had driven up from Manchester to visit a friend at the university. He met Miss M, who was 18 at the time, at the Lizard Lounge in the town, but he was ejected at about 2am.
Miss M said she could not recall leaving the nightclub and her next memory was standing outside her flat. She realised she was with someone and panicked because she did not know who it was. She rang the buzzer, hoping her flatmates would answer, but Coxen became frustrated as she ‘played for time’.
Miss M then dropped her keys and Coxen pushed her away when she tried to pick them up. He got into the flat, raped her and left. After the not proven verdict following a High Court trial in November 2015, Miss M successfully sued him for £80,000 in damages at the Personal Injury Court in Edinburgh last year.
In February, Coxen filed for bankruptcy after declaring himself unemployed.
Miss M, who is now campaigning to abolish the not proven verdict, said: ‘That night I was excited and drank more than I would normally.
‘I was drunk and couldn’t remember arriving at or leaving the club. I’ve no memory of how I got home.
‘Coxen had been in the same club but after an altercation inside he was removed by bouncers.
‘Whether he was waiting for me or I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, I will never know. What I do know is that I was raped by Stephen Coxen and sustained injuries which required surgery.’
Since then, and after winning her civil action, Miss M has tirelessly campaigned to help others. She said: ‘I look back and appreciate the amazing support from the University of St Andrews student services. Student services were there for me during all the dark periods over the last six years and I will always be grateful.
‘I also look back and see the incredible support organisations like Rape Crisis Scotland and the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre are providing.
‘My future is not defined by being raped but will involve supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault. I am determined to make a difference for other survivors, so they don’t wait years for justice.
‘I have lived the harsh reality of what can happen and I wouldn’t want any other student to go through that.’
‘If someone is worse for wear, ask if they’re OK’ ‘I lived the harsh reality of what can happen’