By Wanqing Zhang, Larissa Kennelly, and Kirstie Brewer for BBC Global China Unit and BBC News.
Twenty-three additional women have stepped forward to report allegations to the police against serial rapist Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese PhD student who was recently convicted in London for drugging and raping 10 women on two continents. The police revealed that they have video evidence, filmed by Zou himself, potentially showing 50 more victims, and they are actively trying to locate these women. Detectives now believe that Zou’s list of victims is even larger than initially thought.
Please note that this story contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence.
Among the recent allegations, two women shared their experiences with the BBC World Service. One woman stated that Zou raped her in his hometown in China after drugging her, rendering her conscious but unable to speak or move. The other woman recounted waking up in London to find Zou sexually assaulting her while filming the act.
Additionally, two women who testified against Zou spoke to the BBC, expressing remorse for not coming forward sooner and preventing further victims. They struggle with the guilt of knowing that Zou has harmed many others.
One of the women, referred to as Alice, disclosed her encounter with Zou in London in 2021, where she was assaulted after consuming drinks at his residence. She was only able to report the incident to the police after Zou’s trial. Alice described feeling dizzy and sleepy after drinking from a bottle provided by Zou, while he consumed from a separate bottle. She woke up to find Zou removing her trousers and filming her without consent. Despite resisting, Zou pressured her to stay quiet and discouraged her from involving the authorities.
It is challenging for foreign nationals to report sexual crimes in the UK, as highlighted by Sarah Yeh from the Southeast and East Asian Women’s Association in London. Foreign individuals may struggle to navigate the legal system, access necessary services, and fear the repercussions of reporting such crimes.
These accounts shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by victims of sexual violence, particularly in cases involving perpetrators like Zhenhao Zou. Wanqing Zhang, Larissa Kennelly, and Kirstie Brewer all had encounters with Zou, with Jie revealing that Zou asked for his help in spiking drinks of girls, a request that Jie refused. The BBC questioned Jie about his continued association with Zou and his decision not to involve the police, to which Jie explained that they had many mutual friends, making it challenging to avoid socializing with him. Jie did, however, warn his friends about Zou’s actions. Eventually, Jie cut ties with Zou after realizing the severity of the situation.
Zou, a former University College London student, lived in upscale student accommodation. Another woman, known as “Rachel,” came forward with her story of being drugged and raped by Zou in Dongguan. Rachel recounted how she met Zou online, went on a date with him, and was subsequently assaulted in his home. She hesitated to report the incident due to fears of proving non-consent and facing judgment from her community.
Despite the challenges, Rachel shared her statement with the UK police in hopes of encouraging other victims to speak up. The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the growing number of potential cases involving Zou, indicating the possibility of a second trial. Victims like Beth and Clara, who connected through social media, played a crucial role in Zou’s conviction. Clara commended the British police for their support during the investigation, emphasizing the importance of victim-survivors coming forward. Beth expressed her realization that her testimony, along with Clara’s, significantly contributed to Zou’s prosecution. Wanqing Zhang, Larissa Kennelly dan Kirstie Brewer.
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