Minister condemns Oxford college that ‘silenced rape accuser’

England’s higher education minister has said she expects immediate action from the University of Oxford after allegations emerged that a college “tried to silence” a student who claimed she was raped.

A “disgusted” Michelle Donelan publicly attacked the institution on Twitter, saying both the university and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford – the college at the centre of the controversy – should be “ashamed”.

A former student settled a legal case with the college this week after she accused it of negligence, breach of contract, discrimination, harassment and victimisation in relation to the way she was treated when she claimed that another student had violently assaulted her, The Times reported.

The woman’s lawyers told the paper that their client was subject to a “blanket gagging clause” that prevented her from sharing details about the alleged attack on social media or with the press and was told breaching this could result in expulsion.

Ms Donelan – who last year wrote to vice-chancellors calling for an end to the use of non-disclosure agreements on campuses – said their use to silence victims was “morally bankrupt”.

“I will personally talk with the vice-chancellor [of Oxford] and principal [of Lady Margaret Hall] about the seriousness of this and expect immediate action,” she said.

Disgusted to read this today. The use of NDAs to silence victims is morally bankrupt, @UniofOxford and @lmhoxford should be ashamed. I will personally talk with the Vice-Chancellor and Principal about the seriousness of this and expect immediate action. https://t.co/Vtrypjp0eN

— Michelle Donelan MP (@michelledonelan) April 1, 2022

The case has again raised questions about how universities deal with sexual misconduct allegations, with Oxford admitting that reporting of cases through official channels “remains low”.

Lady Margaret Hall’s principal at the time, Alan Rusbridger, the former editor of The Guardian, denied to The Times that a “gagging order” was in place and said that the student’s complaint had been fully investigated and “extensive measures” were taken to protect and support her.

But the college has now said it intends to overhaul the way it responds to such accusations in future and will become the first Oxford college to sign up to Ms Donelan’s pledge to “commit to not using non-disclosure agreements to silence people who come forward to raise complaints of sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct, or other forms of harassment and bullying”.

A spokesman for the college said it did not comment on individual cases but “takes allegations of sexual assault very seriously”.

“LMH has recognised that there is scope for improvement in our non-academic disciplinary procedures, which includes how the college deals with allegations of sexual assault and harassment,” he added.

The spokesman said a particular concern has been the under-reporting of sexual assaults and “we are working to support students to report offences” as well as “employing external investigators to speed up response to any complex case and we will be expanding our welfare support”.

tom.williams@timeshighereducation.com