Students ‘hit with belts and compelled to devour bodily waste’ at Royal-linked uni

Students at a university where Princess Anne is the ceremonial head were sexually and physically abused and even forced to consume bodily fluids during rugby hazing ceremonies, according to reports.

The sick acts allegedly took place at Harper Adams University, an agricultural institution close to the village of Edgmond, near Newport, in Shropshire, according to The Telegraph.

Documents from an internal investigation seen by the title reportedly stated that students were sexually abused, lashed with belts, and were forced to consume bodily waste during the hazing incidents.

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Rugby players were also accused by a former student of forcing younger peers to drink from a bucket filled with alcohol and “bodily fluids” that included vomit and urine, dubbed ‘The Baby’.

Hazing is a form of initiation that occurs when new members enter certain social groups, most often characterised by degrading, humiliating, or dangerous tasks and behaviours.

A whistleblower former student claimed “horrific” acts had been shrugged off as merely “tradition” and “a rite of passage”.

Harper Adams admitted in its investigation that some students had suffered abuse after they were subjected to “extreme activities” during social events.

Details from a meeting between the ex-student father and representatives of the uni showed the family made allegations of “extensive, endemic physical abuse forced upon students by their older peers as part of initiation rituals”.

Student X also alleged he had cigarettes stubbed out on his body by people involved with the rugby club.

The Telegraph reported that West Mercia Police reports show Student X claimed he was sexually assaulted by a member of the university rugby team during a “pimps and hoes” night at a local pub.

The student also told Harper Adams he saw three peers sexually assaulted with a wine bottle as part of a ritual. He said rituals would take place on coaches returning from rugby games.

His claims were corroborated by other students, the investigation showed. West Mercia Police investigated but dropped the case due to insufficient evidence, it was reported.

Following the investigation at Harper Adams, the university admitted that “a number of students [in recent years] suffered abuse during socials”.

A spokesperson for Harper Adams University and the Harper Adams Students’ Union told the Daily Star: “This case has shocked and saddened all involved at each stage of the process. Our concern for the student is paramount and they were involved in the actions the University was taking at each stage.

“Central to our response was the need, as always, to ensure that the student affected had the necessary support throughout the reporting and investigation process and beyond. We kept in close contact with the student and their family throughout, providing targeted and appropriate support and this offer of support has remained open since.

“We know that we cannot change history, but we are determined to prevent events like this one – which took place a number of years ago – from being repeated.

“The University does not accept that poor student behaviour can be passed off as “just tradition” in any circumstances. We have been investing in, and continue to develop, our Respect agenda jointly with the Students’ Union, and have been striving to ensure that we take any actions that we can identify to address unwanted behaviours and nurture an environment of respectfulness, positive relationships and experiences.

“Before this report, we were already taking positive action to tackle unwanted student behaviours and this further intensified during and after the investigation period, led by our Vice-Chancellor, for whom nurturing a respectful, safe and supportive community has been a top priority since his appointment in November 2021.

“The vast majority of students at Harper Adams behave in ways which respect others and simply seek to get the best out of their time at University. We cannot eliminate the choices of individual students but we will continue to educate them about the impact their actions can have on others. In doing so we will ensure that they know the consequences for them at the University and beyond.”

If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, Home – Victim Support.