Woman's warning to prevent attacks on new students

Warning: This article contains details which some readers may find distressing.

New students are being urged to be cautious of people they meet on a night out by a woman who said her experience of being raped during freshers week left her feeling "traumatised".

Florence said she met a man who was posing as a student at a party as she began her third year at Newcastle University, after leaving the party she said she went to his house where he raped her.

She said: "My eyes have been opened to the evil that people plan during this time, they take advantage of people and the fact that people don't know anyone very well or even know a city well, it's calculated."

Florence, who has waived her right to anonymity to raise awareness for others, said she reported the incident to Northumbria Police eight days later but was unable to give forensic evidence which has to be collected within seven days of an assault. A man was arrested but she decided she could not go through with the court process and the case did not proceed.

Having now left Newcastle University, Florence is "rebuilding her life" and studying for a master's degree at a different university.

She said she spoke with Northumbria Police for months before opting to withdraw from the criminal process.

"I tried to convict but there was a lot that was expected of me.

"I was still very traumatised, I couldn't give DNA. It was my word, against his and I just couldn't cope with the process, the fear of going through it all was too traumatic."

She has welcomed the news that specialist courts which will handle cases of rape and other sexual offences will be introduced across England and Wales in the next two years.

In the past few months Florence has started a social media account which shares her story and content for women who have suffered sexual abuse.

"I don't want people to be scared, I want people to go out and have fun but as long as they take precautions.

"Make sure you get home safely with people you live with, don't trust or believe people on a first exchange.

"It's sad that we [women] have to take these precautions, I don't want people to be scared but I am scared as I know there are bad people out there."

In a statement a Newcastle University spokesperson said: "We are deeply sorry for the distress this student has experienced and our thoughts are with her.

"We work closely with our Students' Union to provide students with information and resources aimed at preventing sexual violence, while also ensuring they are aware of the support services available should they need them."

Women's Street Watch Newcastle, a community group which aims to help keep women, girls, and vulnerable people safe on Friday and Saturday nights out in Newcastle, spoke to students during freshers week.

Volunteer Laura Hope said: "It's important to speak to students as there is a massive vulnerability.

"Staying together in groups is so important and being mindful of your drink when you are out.

"People may seem nice and want to show you around the city but their intentions may be a lot darker."

Northumbria Police's current window for obtaining a forensic report on a rape allegation is seven days post-offence due to natural processes within the body.

Police guidance states having a forensic medical for a sexual offence sooner rather than later will maximise the forensic yield which assists the investigation.

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