St Andrews University is hiring specialist sex abuse counsellor after it was hit by claims of campus 'rape culture'

A specialist sexual assault counsellor is to be hired by St Andrews University after it was rocked by a series of claims of campus 'rape culture' last year.

The new post will be supported by Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre to support students who report allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

It comes after dozens of survivors spoke out about their experience of sexual violence on campus during their time at the Fife university.

It was previously revealed that some 47 cases of sexual assault and harassment have been recorded by the university in the last four years.

Many allegations were shared anonymously via an Instagram account called St Andrews Survivors and were directed at the Alpha Epsilon Pi society - a US style fraternity based at the university.

St Andrews University is hiring a specialist sex abuse counsellor to offer support to victims of rape, sexual assault and harassment on campus after it faced claims of a campus rape culture

According to its bio, the St Andrews Survivors account aims 'to expose the reality of sexual abuse at our university' and 'empower survivors'. 

Announcing the new post, which will see someone based on campus 3.5 days each week, a university spokesperson said it would allow students to access expert support.

'The new position will allow students the flexibility to seek support from the university counselling team and the expertise of the Frasac sexual violence counselling specialist.

According to its bio, the St Andrews Survivors account aims 'to expose the reality of sexual abuse at our university' and 'empower survivors'

'Our student counsellors are trained by Rape Crisis Scotland, and our counselling and wellbeing service is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Psychological Society.

'Universities now face the immense challenge of simultaneously educating students about consent, while creating an environment in which they can come forward to disclose sexual violence and know that they will be listened to, supported and looked after,' they told one newspaper.

The St Andrews Survivors page says in its bio that it aims 'to expose the reality of sexual abuse at our university and empower survivors'.

The latest allegation was shared three weeks ago and was captioned 'Story #286'. 

One anonymous post shared on the page said: 'I was out drinking and had met a frat boy through friends. I had a meltdown outside The Union and he comforted me, I explained that I had been sexually assaulted on another night out.

'He offered to take me to his for some water since he lived nearby and I didn't. I was very drunk and so he put me to bed and he was going to sleep on the floor.

'I woke up sometime later and he was in the bed with me feeling me up. I can't believe anyone could do this.' 

St Andrews University bosses have previously rejected claims that reports of rape and sexual assault were poorly handled.

The university says it faces 'the immense challenge of simultaneously educating students about consent, while creating an environment in which they can come forward to disclose sexual violence and know that they will be listened to and supported' (stock photo)

In a recent BBC documentary, two former St Andrews students accused the university of making mistakes in the handling of their complaints as they revealed their experiences.

One student featured in the documentary, known as 'Megan', told how she decided not to proceed with her complaints after being asked questions she thought were accusatory or victim-blaming.

'She asked how much alcohol I had last night and just when I stated what had happened, I felt that her response was pretty hopeless sounding.

'The woman that I was working with is not to blame, it's just a very bureaucratic system,' Megan told the BBC's Disclosure programme.

But the university stated there was 'documentary proof' the claims are 'without foundation'.

The university accused the BBC programme of 'selective reporting', with a spokesperson saying: 'We categorically refute the allegations of poor handling' made by the BBC and have documentary proof that they are without foundation.

'We also know the BBC dismissed the testimony of a rape survivor who wished to talk positively about university support, and ignored others who expressed a similar view.'

They added: 'We will continue to work with our students to understand what may be missing in the application of policy and safeguards and to create an environment in which all survivors trust and believe that we care deeply.'

Several of the claims which surfaced over the last year were made against members of a US-style fraternity the Alpha Epsilon Pi society.

The worldwide society has a chapter of around 50 men who are members in St Andrews.

The St Andrews chapter of AEPi introduced 'mandatory consent education' for those joining as a result of the allegations.