Trigger warning: this article contains references to sexual assault.
Following former student Zhenhao Zou's conviction for multiple rapes and other serious offences, we have issued this statement and are providing support for our community.
We have been profoundly shaken by these abhorrent crimes. We want to acknowledge the strength and bravery shown by the survivors who came forward, they revisited past trauma to make their voices heard - first to the police, then in court. Their courage has led to this conviction.
If you’re recently learning of this case, be aware that the reporting in the media is detailed and comprehensive - we know that hearing about this will be distressing to many in our community. If you have information related to these crimes, and you feel comfortable doing so, please contact the Police through email: survivors@met.police.uk, by calling 101 or visiting the dedicated webpage.
Sexual violence can affect anyone. If this is something you have experienced, we are here to support you and we urge you to come forward. If you feel able to, our trained and specialist advisors can support you to report your experiences confidentially.
Our focus as a students’ union remains our members’ welfare and safety, this is and always will be a supportive community. Our collective power can bring about the change we need across our society. If you want to take positive action in response to what you’ve heard, become an Active Bystander. Read more about our Active Bystander programme and how it can help create a safer society.
You can read UCL's statement here and access support services via the channels below.
Support available to all students at UCL
If you have been affected by sexual violence or are impacted by hearing this news, it is important to know that you have a choice in how to proceed and that support is available to you. Please remember that this is not your fault. You are not alone and we are here to support anyone in our community affected by this.
More information including links to external organisations and resources that may be able to help can be found on UCL pages on supporting students affected by sexual harassment, misconduct and violence.
Anyone affected at UCL can also report any incidents to us through the online reporting tool and access Crime Prevention and Personal Safety support on and off campus. We will also support members of our community with reporting an incident to the Police, if they wish to do so.
Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) can help direct you to appropriate support both within and outside of UCL:
- If you would like to speak to someone about what support options are available to you, you can call the Student Support and Wellbeing Services Phone Line on +44 (0)20 3108 8836 during office hours.
- For 24/7 support, you can call the UCL 24/7 Support Line on +44 (0) 808 238 0077 and speak with an adviser. If you are calling from outside the UK, you should call 00 353 1 518 0277.
- If you would like to access some confidential support from the UCL Mental Health and Wellbeing Team, you can book an initial same day appointment via askUCL. Appointments can be via phone or Teams or there are staff on site for in person meetings. Advisers are trained in how to have conversations around sexual misconduct. You will be offered an appointment to discuss wellbeing support, options for reporting and academic support. This appointment is confidential and available to all students. You can request that your adviser is male, female or non-binary, and to have support in your own language.
- Staff across Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Advice and Casework are trained to handle sensitive disclosures, including sexual violence.
- Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) based in the Casework Team can provide emotional and practical support, information, and guidance to any UCL student reporting or considering reporting incidents of Sexual Misconduct to the University. ISVAs can be contacted at casework.isva@ucl.ac.uk to arrange a confidential appointment.
- Students can also report sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment to the University via the Report + Support website which will link them to specialist support and guidance from the appropriate teams, including support on how UCL Casework can take the incident forward, in line with their preferences.
- Welfare support is available in all student accommodation and Wardens and Student Residence Advisers are trained to handle disclosures and can help ensure students receive specialist support quickly.
- If you are a parent or are concerned about a student, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing via the Student of Concern form.
- The NHS has useful advice and information for victims or survivors of sexual assault here, and the SSWS page also has links to various other external support options.
- Our Students' Union Advice Service offers independent and impartial advice on a range of matters. We are separate from the university and available to all UCL students, so if you need any advice on submitting an extenuating circumstances claim, one of our experienced Advisors could help.
Action against sexual violence
Awareness is key to preventing sexual violence in our community and our students and staff play a crucial role. This is why we continually invest in a range of preventative education and training:
- As part of the ongoing commitment to preventing and tackling sexual violence at UCL, there are a range of programmes and initiatives, supported by specialist partners such as Rape Crisis, Survivors Network and Stamp Out Spiking, to protect, support and educate our community.
- All staff in our Students' Union bars and venues have undertaken the CPL Drink Spiking awareness course and are trained in how to implement the Ask for Angela scheme. We also have freely available drink lids, spiking testing kits and bottle stops in all our student union venues.
- Security is available across campus 24/7 and lead security staff receive specialised training around supporting student welfare and vulnerability. All students and staff have access to SafeZone, a free to download app that can be used to contact security in an emergency, if anyone needs any urgent help, first aid assistance or wellbeing support.
- Universities across the UK recognise the devastating impact of sexual violence on students and wider society and are taking action to raise awareness, prevent and address these issues. We are working actively with partners across higher education, government, charity and police to tackle these issues, as well as with our own students.
- We are working with partners including Camden Safety Partnerships to support community safety initiatives, such as Camden Safety Hub - a dedicated safe space for anyone who needs help on a night out.