Newnham students on Thursday (10/07) received an email alerting them to “inappropriate behaviour” directed towards a student near College grounds.

The College’s Head Porter began the email: “You may recall earlier in this academic year, an email from me advising against using secluded or concealed routes during the late afternoon/evening.” He explained that this was due to concerns about students’ “personal safety,” and “inappropriate attention from unidentified males who seemingly wait/loiter at or near these routes”.

This email, he explained, was prompted by a “repeat of this inappropriate behaviour”. A male reportedly waited until a Newnham student entered a “secluded pathway,” subsequently “following them under an obvious pretence”.

While the Head Porter emphasised in the email that he did not want to “unduly worry” students, he stated: “Most inappropriate behaviours (or worse) are perpetrated when we allow the conditions for it,” citing walking alone and using dimly lit or concealed pathways as examples.

He encouraged students to “choose routes that are well-lit and populated by others,” and to avoid walking alone where possible.

The affected student told Varsity that she had been with a group of friends, from whom she had diverted “for a couple of minutes,” in order to get home.

The student clarified that there were “three possible paths” that were all “equally dark and isolated” which she could have taken to get home, and had consequently opted for the shortest one possible. While making this journey on foot, the student was followed by a man who she believes was in his sixties.

She explained that, even if she had taken the route which the porters encouraged, “it would still have led out to the path [she] was followed and harassed on”.

The incident and subsequent email have sparked debate on Camfess, which the student has described as “upsetting”.

She told Varsity: “I am finding it hard to see exactly what I did wrong in this situation,” adding: “It has been humiliating and worrying to see so much blame attributed to myself for simply choosing the quickest path to walk home.”

Although the student did emphasise that Newnham’s porters are “lovely” and “so kind,” she said: “The email sent around by the Head Porter, and the ensuing Camfess debates, have significantly impacted how I have been able to move on from what was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.”

A spokesperson for Newnham College said: “No woman who is followed home late at night by a man should feel blamed and we are very sorry that the College’s email caused distress. Creating a space for women to feel safe and secure is something all Newnham staff are passionate about. We will continue to reflect on the feedback and support our staff to ensure future communications on mitigating personal risk better reflect our College values.”