Warwick University suspends students over rape jokes sent on group chats

A group of 11 male students have been suspended from Warwick University after screenshots of messages they allegedly sent about rape emerged.

Screenshots from the group chat showed messages including "rape her friends too" and "sometimes it's fun to just go wild and rape 100 girls".

The conversation continued: "Rape the whole flat to teach them all (a) lesson."

Another message read: "What do we do with girls? RAAAAAAAAAPE."

The messages also included racial slurs, with one saying "even the p**** then?" and another adding "love Hitler, hate n**** and jews and Corbyn" (sic).

The students are suspended pending a disciplinary investigation.

Three formal complaints were made to the university and the university newspaper, The Boar, said 98 screenshots were provided as evidence.

The Boar also claims the members of the chat include senior figures in some of the university's sport and academic societies.

A University of Warwick spokesman said: "A possible student disciplinary incident is currently being actively investigated.

"We cannot comment further on this matter until those investigations, and any subsequent disciplinary processes, are concluded."

A University of Warwick students' union spokeswoman said: "Warwick SU is aware of the ongoing university investigation into a group Facebook chat involving a number of Warwick students.

"The SU condemns the content of these messages - together with all forms of sexism, racism, anti-Semitism, ableism, and threats of violence - in the strongest possible terms.

"The SU has been supporting the victims and will continue to do so.

"We are also proactively co-operating with the university's ongoing investigation, and hope to see a conclusion as swiftly as possible."