CUSU condoms found pierced at Newnham
Suggestions of sabotage dismissed by Chigbo
A potential threat to students’ sexual health was revealed yesterday when it was found that holes had been pierced in CUSU condoms at Newnham College.
The pierced condoms were discovered by a Newnham third-year student, who became concerned when she found a hole in a condom she had used with her boyfriend. Upon checking the remainder of the box, she found that three of the six condoms had been damaged.
It is unclear who was responsible for piercing the condoms. However, the Tab has accused CUSU of negligence after one of its reporters gained access to CUSU’s condom supply cupboard and photographed himself piercing a hole in a condom.
The student received the condoms from her college welfare officer who in turn had collected them from CUSU’s office. She said: “I realised the next morning because the wrapper was on my bedside table and I saw a raised bump on the side.
“I held it up to the window and light just streamed through. I almost fainted, it was horrible and so irresponsible. They don't know what they could be doing to someone's life. It was a big shock and I'm still angry.”
CUSU officials have avoided suggesting that an act of sabotage took place. However, CUSU President Tom Chigbo referred to a faulty box of condoms received from suppliers, suggesting they might have been damaged since production.
He told Varsity: “CUSU is committed to providing sexual health supplies of the highest quality to students. We received a faulty box from our suppliers about which we have already complained in the strongest terms.”
“We are investigating this as a matter of urgency, and are working with the suppliers and manufacturers of the condoms to address the fault in the condoms we received. At this point there is no reason to believe that there has been any sabotage.”
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