Nottingham University has launched an investigation after a message saying “uni girls love rape” was left in a bathroom at a hall of residence on campus.
It was made out of toilet paper and arranged on the floor of a shared bathroom in Florence Boot hall.
A student posted a photo of the message on Twitter.
What the hell is this doing in one of the University of Nottingham Florence Boot Halls shared bathroom? This is disgusting. What is wrong with people. @UniofNottingham pic.twitter.com/3AOatFugKx
— Victoria🥀 (@victoriakayexo) May 30, 2018
The incident was condemned by the university’s feminist campaign group, which called on the university to adopt a zero-tolerance approach and support female students and ensure their safety.
“It is becoming more and more apparent that we are living in a rape culture in which sexual violence is the norm,” a statement said. “The University of Nottingham must combat views like this on our campus for our safety.”
There has been growing awareness of the problem of sexual violence and harassment at UK universities over the past year involving students and staff, following a series of investigations by the Guardian.
A Nottingham University spokesperson said the rape message was removed as soon as staff were made aware of it. “It does not reflect the values of the university nor the behaviour we expect within our community, and as such we have launched a full investigation into who placed it there,” they said.
The university tweeted a link to its standards of behaviour for students and said: “We work hard to raise awareness on sexual consent through our let’s be clear on consent initiative, which tackles myths and misunderstandings about sexual consent, rape and sexual abuse.”
Queenie Djan, the president of the university’s feminist society, told the BBC she was disgusted and angry, but not shocked. “There have been abundant complaints about sexual harassment at our uni and these are falling on deaf ears. I feel the uni isn’t taking enough steps to combat views like this,” she said.
The university insisted it took all allegations seriously and encouraged students to complain in order that inappropriate behaviour can be challenged. “As misogyny is a hate crime in Nottingham, we also provide information on harassment and hate crime reporting,” a spokesperson said.
