“William Henry Cosby Jr. is an American former stand-up comedian, actor, musician, author, and convicted sex offender.” So reads the headline of Bill Cosby’s Wikipedia bio as of the news breaking of him being found guilty of drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in 2004. Cosby’s conviction is the first high-profile case of its kind since […]
Sexual Assault
#MeToo – Sexual Harassment at Exeter
Content Warning: This article contains direct accounts of sexual harassment. Being ranked one of the top ten universities in the UK consistently for the last few years and with its academic and diversity portfolios widening, it is only natural that an optimist would expect Exeter’s atmosphere to be free of sexual harassment and assault. However, […]
What’s Different About #HowIWillChange?
If it can be said that any good has come from the accusations made against Harvey Weinstein, it is undeniably the response from women and men all over the world coming together to say #MeToo. On the 16th October, Australian author and journalist Benjamin Law tweeted, “Guys, it’s our turn. After yesterday’s endless #MeToo stories […]
Demonstrating ignorance in depicting assault
The Chinese New Year celebration was coming up on campus, and I had been very excited for it. Having lived in Hong Kong myself, I was looking forward to reconnecting a little with Chinese culture. So after engaging with the various stalls, my friend and I made our way to the Alumni Auditorium to enjoy an hour […]
The Reality of being a male victim of sexual assault
Most people think of sexual assault as being something totally unacceptable and reprehensible that a man does to a woman. But for me and millions of other men and boys just like me, there’s a different reality. A reality in which we are also victims and the perpetrators are of any, or no gender identity […]
University student jailed after sexually assaulting another student
A University of Exeter student has been jailed for sexually assaulting another student. Vadim Evseev admitted assault by penetration and was jailed for a year at Exeter Crown Court. Judge Graham Cottle told Evseev in summary: “This young girl was aware of someone following her and was intimidated. She is now more anxious when she […]
Review: Asking For It
Did you know ducks have decoy vaginas? The sneaky devils. But see, it’s because male ducks like to gang-rape their ladies. So I guess Todd Akin was right when he said rape victims don’t get pregnant, because “if it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” Except […]
Can you joke about rape? An interview with Adrienne Truscott
It’s an odd feeling, knowing you’re chatting to the woman whose vagina you’re going to see on stage later this week. Luckily, Adrienne Truscott’s got a knack for dispelling awkwardness. It’s probably got something to do with that “One-lady rape about comedy” she’s here to perform. Yep: showing at Exeter’s Corn Exchange on Wednesday in collaboration […]
Sexual assaults increase in Exeter
There has been a dramatic increase in recorded rapes and other sexual offences in Exeter, data obtained from Devon and Cornwall Police has revealed. An Exeposé Freedom of Information (FOI) request discovered that there had been a 37 per cent rise in rapes since 2013, with those involving females over 16 nearly doubling. Sexual assaults have […]
Exeter lad culture: has it spiked?
I find Lady Gaga’s new music video ‘Til it Happens To You a distressing watch. Shot in black and white, the video depicts three female students at an American university, all of whom are sexually assaulted. Whilst the graphic portrayals of the three rapes are in themselves harrowing, what upsets me most is watching the […]