STUDENTS alleging they are victims of sexual attacks in Oxford feel more confident coming forward than others, a university has claimed.

Oxford University has revealed students feel more able to report allegations after receiving 'practical guidance' about making complaints.

Their statement came after The Mail on Sunday said 36 rape and sexual assault allegations were recorded by the university in the past two years.

The figure was the largest seen for any British university, apart from Durham University which recorded the same number of allegations, according to the newspaper.

An Oxford University spokesman said: "Oxford University is a safe environment, where sexual violence and harassment are completely unacceptable.

"Our harassment policy has created a secure culture where victims can report incidents and know who to turn to for help.

"All these incidents have been reported to the Director of Student Welfare and Support since January 2015, when the new harassment policy was introduced.

"They include reports made for the purposes of obtaining support and counselling, where the student did not wish to make a formal disciplinary complaint.

"They also include some incidents which occurred before January 2015, cases before the complainant became an Oxford student and some incidents which occurred outside the university context.

"We feel the figures reflect the confidence victims now have that they will be heard and supported at Oxford.

"This clear, secure reporting system is just one of ways in which Oxford has strengthened its culture of respect in recent years."

The university said it also has more than 300 voluntary harassment advisors, trained to support students making complaints and signposting them to counselling services.