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NU criticised over stalking scandal Est 1948
The independent voice of Newcastle students
Em Richardson News Editor Newcastle University is embroiled in controversy over its treatment of a student convicted of stalking his ex-girlfriend, as well as distributing “revenge porn”, after the breakdown of their relationship. The anonymous victim, referred to in The Tab using the pseudonym Amy, met fellow Newcastle student Jefferson Young during her first year of university. They entered into an on-off relationship, during which the victim witnessed Young engaging in threatening
and abusive behaviour, including breaking her possessions. Amy claims to have ended the relationship after Young pulled her across the road by her hair. After their relationship ended, Young bombarded Amy with messages. According to The Tab, these messages included claims that Amy was the reason for Young’s low self-esteem. In one message, he tells her: “… you’re the main fucking reason I feel so shit about myself I actually hate myself [SIC] for ever caring about you and still caring, fuck off I hate you.” The two lived in the same university halls, meaning Amy found it difficult to avoid un-
pleasant run-ins with her ex-boyfriend. The messages soon escalated into even more worrying behaviour, with Amy’s expartner creating new social media accounts, with the sole purpose of using them to contact her. When he discovered that Amy had a new boyfriend, Young sent a sexually explicit video of Amy to her new partner, hence he is also guilty of distributing ‘revenge porn’. He claimed to be “a better shag” than Amy’s new boyfriend, citing the video as proof of his sexual prowess. A few months later, Amy and Young attended the same social event, where he was
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witnessed shouting abuse at Amy and her friends. He also turned up at Amy’s home. She contacted law enforcement in June 2018, after her ex-boyfriend appeared at her place of work. Amy also notified university officials of the situation, as she sought guidance. The University’s Student Disciplinary Procedure states that students breach the code of conduct if they engage in “any sexual misconduct/sexual impropriety, including, but not limited to, non-consensual sexual activity, sexual violence, assault, harassment, and stalking.” The University similarly claims that “violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening or
offensive behaviour or language whilst on or off University premises” and harassment constitute violations of the code of conduct. In accordance with the Universities UK Changing the Culture guidance, Newcastle University introduced the Changing the Culture project to investigate sexual misconduct, harassment and hate crime. In October 2018, Young appeared in court, accused of stalking and the distribution of revenge porn, and was given both a restraining order from Amy, and twelve months’ community service. He pleaded guilty to all of the accusations. Continued inside on page 3