New Allegations Emerge Against Serial Rapist Zhenhao Zou as Victims Share Their Stories

Following Zhenhao Zou's conviction for drugging and raping ten women, more victims have stepped forward, sharing harrowing accounts of their experiences. Police believe Zou's offenses extend to many more women, as the investigation continues to uncover additional victims.

Twenty-three additional women have recently contacted authorities with allegations against Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese PhD student found guilty in London last month of drugging and raping ten women across two continents. Following his trial, police revealed they possess video evidence filmed by Zou himself, which could indicate as many as 50 more potential victims, prompting an extensive search for these individuals. Officers now suspect that Zou's network of victims is significantly larger than previously understood.

This article features testimonials from two of the newfound complainants. One woman reported being raped in Zou's hometown in China after he spiked her drink, rendering her conscious but unable to respond. Another described a similar experience in London, where she awoke to find Zou filming himself assaulting her. Both women expressed guilt and remorse, wishing they had reported their experiences sooner to potentially prevent Zou from victimizing others.

One victim, referred to as Alice, recounted her assault in 2021 after meeting Zou during a night out in London with other Chinese students. Despite sharing drinks with her friend, Alice noted Zou only consumed from a separate bottle, which later left her feeling dizzy and disoriented. After persuading her to rest in his bedroom, Alice awoke to find Zou filming her while attempting to undress her. She resisted, only escaping when she threatened to scream for help.

Alice's hesitance to report the incident stemmed from a lack of knowledge about the reporting process and a belief that she needed more evidence to file a complaint. She was shocked to learn about Zou’s conviction and realized she was not alone in her fight for justice.

Sarah Yeh, a trustee at the Southeast and East Asian Women's Association in London, pointed out the challenges foreign nationals face when reporting sexual crimes in the UK, including inadequate knowledge of rights and the fear of cultural stigma.

Another victim, known as Rachel, shared her story of being drugged and raped by Zou in 2022 at his home in China. After experiencing symptoms of disorientation and fear of not being believed, she chose not to contact authorities until recently.

The Metropolitan Police continue to investigate the 23 new allegations, with the possibility of a second trial for Zou being considered as the number of victims seeking justice increases. Officers emphasize their commitment to better support for victims, acknowledging past inadequacies in handling such sensitive cases.

Victims like Alice and Rachel hope that sharing their experiences will empower others to come forward and shed light on the pervasive issue of sexual violence. Early investigations suggest that Zou's pattern of behavior may have extended beyond his time in London, as police probe his past in Belfast. Both Alice and Rachel remain committed to ensuring Zou faces additional consequences for his actions, advocating for timely justice for all victims.