Campaigners have warned that up to 27,000 women starting university this autumn could be victims of rape by the end of their degree. New analysis, seen exclusively by Metro, suggests as many as one in eight female students could endure rape, attempted rape, or assault by penetration by the time they graduate.
The figure follows an alleged gang rape at a fraternity at Cornell University in the US, which sparked outrage about violence against women. Campaigners say the new figures show sex attacks are not just a US problem but that there is a 'hidden epidemic of rape' on British campuses.
Analysis of OfS survey data
With around 215,000 women starting undergraduate degrees this autumn, the non-profit Enough carried out an in-depth analysis of a sexual misconduct survey published by the Office for Students (OfS) last year. The findings suggest that up to 7.7 per cent of female students are raped or suffer assault by penetration at university. On top of that, up to 5.1 per cent of women said they were targets of failed attempts.
If these experiences were replicated among this year's cohort of new students, then as many as 27,000 could be raped or face an attempted rape or assault by penetration. The OfS survey involved 50,000 students. Survey responses revealed that 5.2 per cent of women said someone put their penis, fingers, or other parts of their body, or objects into their anus or vagina when they did not want them to. A further 2.5 per cent said someone performed oral sex on them or made them perform oral sex when they did not want to. For attempted rape, 3.6 per cent of women said someone tried to put their penis, fingers, or other body parts, or objects into their vagina or anus when they did not want them to, even though they were not successful. Another 1.2 per cent said someone tried to have oral sex with them or make them perform oral sex when they did not want to.
Forced oral sex may include attacks where females are perpetrators, which is not rape. However, official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for 2024-25 states that 98 per cent of sexual abuse is perpetrated by men. The true figures could be lower because some students may have reported experiencing more than one type of attack. However, Enough say the mathematical modelling suggests the overlap is likely to be low, so the number is closer to their upper estimate. The ONS includes assault by penetration, attempted rape, and attempted assault by penetration in their headline definition of rape.
Campaigners call for action
Katie White, co-founder of Enough, told Metro: 'These figures tell a bleak and horrifying story about the sexual violence that takes places in and around our universities. Universities need to be honest about the problem and take bold action.'
White, who co-founded Enough in 2024, added: 'The higher education sector is in denial about the scale of the problem. One of the first things a student said to me when I began campaigning two years ago was: we are a “house of five girls and three of us have been raped”. They have a duty to ensure women going to university for the first time this month can complete their degree without a one in seven chance that someone will attempt, and likely succeed, in raping them.'
White was speaking about the figures as she arrived in Cambridge to speak to freshers about consent on the first day of their term – one of many higher educational bodies she has visited this autumn. She added: 'Students deserve better- they deserve the have the best time of their lives not the worst.'
Wider context and response
The reality of university rape came into the spotlight last week when an investigation was reopened into the alleged rape of a woman at Cornell University in 2024. The former student, identified anonymously as Jane Doe, claims that seven men from Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity chapter assaulted her for hours in an alcohol and drug-fueled attack. She says in a lawsuit that she was intoxicated during the alleged incident and could not provide consent. Jane Doe alleges that Cornell did not adequately investigate or punish the alleged perpetrators.
Blu Mckenzie, who runs That's Still Rape which works to build safer universities, told Metro sexual violence like allegations in the Cornell case was 'widespread' on British campuses as well. She said: 'The UK might not have fraternities, but we do have sports clubs and societies where rape culture also thrives. You get lots of boys together in an environment where people are more likely to egg each other on and escalate behaviour that's inappropriate into more violent acts. They might not have had consistent or strong consent education.'
In September, Bath University launched an investigation into claims that members of their rugby club planned to spike female students during freshers' week, which the club and students' union denied. The university said it has increased security in nightclubs in response to 'frightening' rumours circulating on social media. Bath has also begun a wider review of the culture around its sports clubs. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said the force is aware of two reports of 'possible spiking'. Spiking is often used by criminals to make it easier to rape or sexually assault a victim.
Metro has been given the testimonies of female university students who say they were raped during their degrees. One woman told anti-rape charity Everyone's Invited this year: 'I was in my 2nd year of university. 19 years old. I was on a night out with my friends, I'd only had 2 or 3 drinks at this point, and from then on I blacked out and remember nothing. I woke up in my bed, completely naked with a guy who I didn't know or recognise lying beside me. I asked what happened, he said “we slept together but it's okay because we both wanted it”. He then tried to again, but this time I was conscious and said no, yet he still did despite me consistently saying no throughout as well. This happened multiple times. After the last time he asked “I didn't rape you did I?” Whilst I was laid there shaken up. I didn't sleep in that bed again after that.'
Campaigners also claim that British universities do not take rape accusations seriously enough. Blu continued: 'What's particularly concerning is how universities respond. So often survivors are fobbed off and they're questioned more than the perpetrator. Victims are left to navigate a very complicated system alone while perpetrators are assumed innocent until proven guilty. Universities are failing their students.'
NUS England President Favour Samuel said: 'Students don't need high profile horrifying accounts of sexual violence to know that our higher education institutions are too often unsafe environments for women and girls. We know it from our friends, our sisters, from our own experiences. And we carry the fear every day. Data consistently demonstrates that over 50% of university sexual assaults take place between September and November. During this transition period, incoming students, particularly freshers in unfamiliar surroundings, face elevated risks of targeting and sexual exploitation. We need to see every university bring in anonymous reporting mechanisms. And we need to see universities take a zero-tolerance approach to sexual violence.'
The Office for Students said: 'Every student should have confidence that they'll be safe from sexual assault and harassment during their studies. As the concerning figures from our sexual misconduct survey show, that is sadly not the case for a significant number. While most students will thrive at university, sexual assault and harassment can have a devastating impact on those who are affected. That's why we introduced new rules for universities and colleges last year, which means they must have effective policies to prevent harassment and sexual misconduct, robust procedures to address it if it occurs, and support for students who experience it. We also recently published an expanded analysis of our 2025 Sexual Misconduct Survey, to deepen our understanding of how reported experiences may vary between groups of students based on characteristics like sex, disability, and socioeconomic background. Many institutions are doing good work to address this issue, but there is clearly far more that needs to be done to keep students safe. To help universities and colleges do that effectively, we plan to run the survey again next year and will continue to work with the sector and others to support effective action that keeps students safe.'
A Government Spokesperson said: 'Any form of sexual abuse is completely unacceptable, and the findings of this report are deeply troubling. Universities must act decisively to tackle and prevent sexual misconduct on campus, under robust requirements from the Office for Students to hold them accountable. Tackling violence against women and girls, including sexual harassment, is a driving mission for this government and we are delivering lasting improvements so that all students can thrive, free from harassment and harm.'
Bath University has been contacted for comment.
