AN Oxford student who says she was subjected to a violent sexual assault in a club is campaigning for her university to hire a therapist specialising in sexual trauma.

Meredith Graham wants to force Oxford Brookes University to look after survivors of sexual harassment and assault better, after she said she experienced first hand what a lack of help can mean in a time of crisis.

She even started a petition to put pressure on the institution, which has now reached more than 500 signatures.

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Speaking about her experience, she said: “In 2018, when I became a victim of sexual violence, I reached out to Brookes, specifically my lecturer, about what had happened and why I needed further support. 

“Further support being time off from placement for intensive trauma therapy and mitigating circumstances for assignments.”

However, at the meeting organised by her lecturer Ms Graham said that she was met with ‘aggressive shouting’ and was told that ‘all students go through this’.

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She was also asked whether she was lying.

Ms Graham added: “This unfortunately meant that I was left feeling suicidal, was not attending university and was self harming every day.”

Ms Graham decided to skip a year and, upon her return in June, she founded Say It Loud – a sexual violence support group, which now boasts a team of 17 people.

They dedicate their time in helping students suffering from PTSD, anxiety and distress, which are only a small number of mental health consequences that a victim of sexual violence can suffer from.

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Since June, Say It Loud has already been contacted by 160 young people in Oxford, most of whom study at Brookes.

Ms Graham has also begun working alongside the student union and the wellbeing team as a women’s officer to make sure there is support in place for those who are struggling.

While Oxford Brookes University did not address the allegations, a spokesperson commented on services currently available to its students.

They said: “The welfare of our students is of the utmost importance to Oxford Brookes and the university provides a range of support and advice including confidential counselling, access to specialist advisors, a range of self-help resources and links to local networks and resources. 

“We meet regularly with Students Union welfare officers and the women’s officer to address any concerns and issues, and liaise closely with specialist services including the Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre.”