Student sexually assaulted in Cowley

Police are appealing for witnesses after an Oxford student was sexually assaulted in the early hours of last Thursday. The incident occurred at around 1.40am as the woman was returning home from a night out in Cowley. The 19 year old was followed as she walked alone along Cowley Road. The man approached the student outside a derelict bingo hall, speaking with a foreign accent. He then continued to follow her into Cumberland Road, where the assault took place.PC Rebecca Burley, based at Cowley Police station, said that, “The woman [then] managed to run away from the man" as she "saw [her attacker] run in the direction of Cowley Road.” The man is described as Asian, with a shaved head and wearing a dark top. He is thought to be about 5ft 6 and in his late twentie or early thirties. Holly Ware, JCR Welfare Officer at the nearby St Hilda’s College, described the attack as a “reminder of the need to be cautious and to take sensible precautions”. She added, “I’m not going to allow this incident to prevent me from leaving my house at night.”The spokesperson for Thames Valley Police advised students not to walk home on their own. She also suggested that students make themselves aware of Thames Valley Police’s ‘Safer Streets’ campaign. This new campaign hopes to make young people “safe and secure while out and about”. The attack comes close to a report made to the police this week of a “serious” sexual assault at the Turf Tavern at the beginning of the month. On 1 October, while former students were celebrating their graduation, a middle-aged woman was sexually assaulted in the public house. Detective Constable Stuart Teasdale, of Oxford CID, said that “the pub would have been very busy at the time as there were lots of graduation ceremonies being held on that day.”OUSU advises students, particularly females, to carry an attack alarm, and urges first years to be particulary vigilant and aware of street safety. They also remind males that although 96% of rape is female, men should not take undue risks eitherARCHIVE: 2nd week MT 2005