A woman has accused 27-year-old Zhenhao Zou, a PhD student studying at University College London (UCL), of raping her after forcibly preventing her from leaving his flat on May 18, 2023, in Elephant and Castle, London. This case is part of broader allegations involving Zou, who is facing accusations from ten women ranging from drugging to sexual assault, several incidents occurring between September 2019 and May 2023.
Testifying at Inner London Crown Court, the alleged victim shared harrowing details of the night she claims Zou assaulted her. She recounted how he had been consuming wine together before she began to feel uneasy about his behavior. Describing her distress, she said, "He forced me to stay at his place... under the extreme loss of my emotional control," which he had exploited during their time together.
During her testimony, the woman claimed Zou dragged her back by her clothes when she attempted to leave. She alleged he coerced her to drink vodka and then took her to his bedroom, where she passed out. The court heard of shocking evidence, including footage retrieved by police, purportedly capturing the assault, and graphic images of her taken without consent, found on Zou's device. The woman is one of two identified victims among ten who have made accusations against him, the rest remaining anonymous.
On the day following the incident, the woman message Zou, saying her bag and e-cigarette were at his flat. Zou responded by admitting he had "drunk too much" and implied wrongdoings, stating, "I had too much to drink and did something wrong." She confronted him, replying with, "Think about what you have done," to which she clarified to jurors what she referred to was his actions of holding her against her will, saying, “He forced me to stay and raped me.”
Explaining her state of mind post-assault, she described feelings of disgust and violation, saying, "I could not sleep, I could not eat, I felt disgusting. Physically, it was much worse than mentally.” An integral bit of her testimony revealed how she attempted to negotiate with Zou; she jokingly requested he should buy her handbag as "compensation"—an act she clarified did not imply any consent to sexual activities.
Police contacted her three days after the incident when she made the decision to report Zou. Her phone call to authorities, made at 4:21 AM on May 21, described her torment following the alleged rape as she struggled to find peace. The psychological toll from these events was considerable; she had not been able to sleep for days.
The court has been informed of similar allegations from other women, with Zou denying all the charges against him, including 11 counts of rape, 12 of possession of extreme pornography, three counts of voyeurism, one of false imprisonment, and eight of possession of substances with the intent to supply. Defense lawyers have maintained Zou's assertions of consent, arguing interactions had been consensual, and suggest many of the situations involved role-playing, stirring considerable outrage and skepticism among the victims.
Another voice among the accused has emerged, claiming to have connected with the first identified victim through social media after being influenced by her bravery to speak out. She described her experience with Zou as initially appearing marginally harmless, only to find herself overpowered at the hands of someone she initially trusted. “When I woke up, I was naked. It was outrageous,” she lamented, echoing sentiments of anger and betrayal.
The broader implications of this case extend beyond personal hurt; it raises significant concerns about the safety of young women, especially those within social and educational contexts where they might believe they are secure. Zou's behavior has prompted warnings and precautionary advisories aimed at potential victims, as shared by multiple sources within women's communities.
University College London has publicly stated their support for students affected by such allegations, and the continuing trial seeks to not only address Zou’s misconduct but also establish the patterns of behavior harming multiple victims across different jurisdictions. This case serves as both legal struggle and societal reckoning.
Jurors will continue to hear evidence as the trial progresses. It reflects the urgent need for clarity, justice, and perhaps more fundamentally, for protecting the rights and safety of individuals who find themselves vulnerable to aggressive and predatory conduct.