ben clements.

I was not shocked to find that Ben Clements had been involved with a rape group chat. But I was shocked to read that the students involved would be returning to Warwick University this year. This is unacceptable and quite frankly abhorrent bearing mind a new group chat has surfaced where they stated that they were not even sorry or the slightest remorseful. However, I’m hoping my story will shed more light on Ben Clements’ true character. I will no longer be silent. I will be heard.

I attended secondary school with Ben and was in a year 7/8 relationship with him (12/13 years of age). During the course of this relationship he was sexually abusive. He would make me strip off my clothing in the woods near his home and would touch me even though he knew I didn’t want to. He would pin me down on his bed and press his erection between my legs and say “Can you feel it?”. He would lock me in his bathroom and would not let me leave until I pleasured him and would find any excuse to take his penis out. I never wanted this and he knew I was uncomfortable. I was so confused and I didn’t understand the situation because I was only 12. I was too embarrassed to talk to my parents so I spoke to some close friends at school about what he was doing to me. Unfortunately this ended up being spread round the entire school and I was badly bullied for it as no one believed me, (I have you to thank for that Ben).  But he moved to a different secondary school around year 9.

 I was 12. He made me think it was normal. He made me think I should want it and that I shouldn’t be frigid. Shouldn’t I show him I love him? (Everyone said ‘I love you’ in secondary school relationships).  It is so degrading and humiliating to say I have been pleasuring men since I was 12 years old. It’s disgusting. But I think it is more disgusting that Warwick University have chosen to sacrifice the safety of its students and allow them to return. This is not ‘banter’. This is not funny. This is not a joke. Ben Clements has been sexually oppressive and manipulative to women for years, (I am not the only one). Warwick University must view these misogynistic threats of rape and mutilation of women as serious. There can be no excuse for this behaviour in society.  In the case of Ben Clements, it is not about second chances. This is a continuous pattern of sexually abusive behaviour.

Warwick University, do not let down your students.

I will be heard.