NEWS
Shameless website rates KU students
Elaha Walizedah M. Al-RASHID
Zia Weise STUDENTS feel “betrayed” and shocked after a website uploaded their photos on to “hot or not” boards without their consent. Ratemash.com has uploaded pictures of students from more than 100 UK universities, asking its users to rate them based on attractiveness. “I had no idea that my picture was on that website,” said one Kingston student, who wishes to remain anonymous. “I feel completely betrayed to know my picture got on that website without my permission.” Ratemash organises every university into two “leaderboards”, one for male and one for female students. The pictures in the “top 50” link directly to students’ Facebook accounts. Walizadeh called the website “morally and ethically wrong”. She said student representatives across the country, including NUS tried to contact Ratemash with no success. cluding myself have emailed and phoned them a couple of times. But they seem to be pretty shameless,” she said. “I think we need a joint movement against it. They seem to be enjoying the controversy.” Walizadeh advised students who found themselves on the site against their will to remove their privacy settings until the issue was resolved. Michael Healy, who runs Ratemash, said to : “People are invited or nominated onto the website by their friends. We are actively removing people who were wrongly added to Ratemash.” English language and journalism student Emily Hughes, 20, said: “My housemate is on there too. It freaks me out to be honest.” “Why on earth does this site feel they have the privilege to access my private pictures?”
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KU women warned of flasher Charlea Glanville and Sawiya Ali
Kingston University’s Feminist Society has a new campaign that focuses on sexual harassment towards
THE UNIVERSITY has warned female students not to walk alone at
otypes and misconceptions of rape, serious sexual violence and sexual harassment. Elaha Walizadeh, 20, KUSU’s wom-
er close to two of the University’s campuses. The incidents occurred near St John’s Church in Grove Lane, very close to Kingston’s Penrhyn Road and Knights Park campuses. Bruce Armstrong, dean of students at the University, warned students to “please take extra care by keeping to well-lit pavements and avoiding walking alone”. He said: “We would like to remind all of our students to be aware of their safety, wherever they are, and take sensible safety precautions.” A female KU student was ap10pm on November 21, close to the Road. “A man began following me and then attempted to corner me whilst touching himself,” said the 20-yearold student. hiding in a driveway, as if waiting for somebody to walk past before he approached her. “There was no one else around, and then all of a sudden he appeared and got very close to me - almost touching distance - while inappropriately touching himself. “It was then that I screamed loudly
inist Society, was shocked to hear students that this offence must not be taken lightly. She said: “I was upset to see that some students took it as a joke but this is clearly sexual harassment.
The University has warned KU students not to walk alone REX FEATURES and managed to run away, causing him to leg it in the opposite direction.” She said that she contacted the police straight away, but they were unAlthough the student feels lucky to have escaped the scene, she is still traumatised by the incident. “I hardly slept that night and I still feel so shaky about it,” she said. “It’s just not right that things like this can happen. “We need to warn as many girls as possible, as this was so close to Penrhyn campus and he’s still out there somewhere. “People need to report it as soon
as possible if they come into contact “Some people I’ve told about my couldn’t seem to understand why it was so bad and scary. ly walk in the road from now on.” Chief inspector Gary Taylor of Kingston Neighbourhood Policing Road in Kingston on November 21 to investigate an incident of indecent exposure, and the investigation continues. “No arrests have been made at this time, but please contact us if you see anything.”
women when they need it or at least direct them to the right people.” If something happens on campus, students have been advised to immediately contact the University’s security team on their emergency number, 020 8417 6666, which operates day and night. Victims of an incident that happens off campus should make a call directly to the police on 999 for emergencies and 101 for non-emergencies. Victims of sexual attacks can contact Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire unit which specialise in investigating rape and sexual offences and in offering support to the victim following an assault of this kind. This can be done at a police station, over the phone, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 should you wish to give information anonymously.
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