A member of Oxford University’s women’s boat club has made an allegation of rape against another elite athlete, in a case which raises concerns about the culture among the university’s sportsmen and the way its institutions handle claims of sexual assault. The alleged rape took place on 25 October last year and the complainant says she initially approached the university women’s rowing club (OUWBC) two days later for support. But she says her experience suggested a lack of knowledge about signposting to the correct support services and she felt staff were slow to respond to her request for help in avoiding having to see the alleged perpetrator. Furthermore, she says that in a Zoom meeting on 8 December with herself and others about her situation, Sir John Bell, the interim “senior member” of OUWBC, and regius professor of medicine, made what she regarded as “inappropriate” comments about the possibility of reforming culture at sports clubs at Oxford, which he suggested had long been problematic. In the conversation Bell, who is also the UK government’s life sciences adviser and was involved in the development of the AstraZeneca vaccine, said: “I could tell you some stories … which you don’t really want to hear. Give those guys a couple of pints of beer or too much to drink and they behave unbelievably badly. I mean, to be clear, we have had guys go to jail for things they have done …” The complainant asked him: “If it’s such a chronic problem, do you not think there’s some cultural reform needed?” Bell responded by laughing, leading the complainant to say: “You laugh about it but people are harmed by these behaviours.” The professor laughed again, saying: “I totally get it, I thought we had sorted it out the last time but we clearly haven’t … It’s a very toxic combination of alcohol and very young athletes at university, it doesn’t work at all.” In a separate part of the discussion, Bell said: “This university is not very good on these student welfare-type issues.” The rape allegation and Bell’s comments raise questions about the culture at the university, particularly among its male athletes, before the biggest sporting event in its calendar on Sunday, the Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race. The event sees both men and women racing and attracts millions of TV viewers and – in a normal year – 250,000-plus visitors to the banks of the Thames. The complainant told the Guardian she did not go to the police because of concerns about the conviction rates in rape cases – which, along with prosecutions, are at a historic low – and the intrusive nature of a criminal investigation. As well as approaching her boat club for help, she also submitted a non-academic misconduct form to the proctors’ office. On the form, dated 5 November, she said the incident, which took place in college accommodation, had “profoundly impacted all elements of my life”, including leaving her stressed and unable to work or concentrate. She asked that a non-contact order be initiated against the alleged perpetrator, saying she felt “physically nauseous and anxious” when she saw him. Included in the alleged victim’s complaint to the proctors’ office was a letter she says was sent from the alleged perpetrator in which he “apologises for my actions”, says “it was wrong of me to cross that boundary” and “I am going to read more about consent to ensure I understand it properly”. It is understood the man denied sexually assaulting the complainant when asked by a member of university staff. The proctors’ office formally responded to her complaint just under six weeks after the non-academic misconduct form was submitted, only to say it would not investigate without her involving the police. The complainant told the Guardian: “It’s like the university was washing its hands of it, saying, ‘There’s nothing we can do.’ No one knew what to do, there’s no protocol.” Another issue she highlighted with respect to the university’s response was access to its counselling service. On 18 November, she was sent an email by the service offering her an appointment for 16 December, meaning she would not have been able to see them until more than two and a half months after the incident occurred. It was only after she spoke to the OUBWC chair, who intervened on her behalf, that the first appointment was moved forward more than three weeks to 24 November. An Oxford University spokesperson said it treated all forms of sexual violence as “completely unacceptable”, had invested in enhancing support for students who were victims of sexual violence, and was working hard to increase understanding of issues around consent, with plans to introduce training on the subject on induction for members of its sporting clubs. They added: “When students report sexual violence and harassment, we always respond swiftly and deal with complaints as quickly as possible. Students are advised on their options and offered a range of support from the university sexual harassment and violence support service, including support from an independent sexual violence adviser and access to the counselling service. “While we cannot comment on individual cases in detail, we are confident that our disciplinary teams, support services and sports clubs in all cases will show great empathy and take considerable action to advise and support any student who raises concerns.” On the comment by Bell, they said: “The university will not comment on the contents of conversations held in confidence. Sir John has been very concerned about this case and active in ensuring that all disciplinary and support processes are in place.”