The case of a serial rapist: Zhenhao Zou

Cottonbro studio, October 8, 2020

Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese student, was convicted of drugging and raping women in England and China, with evidence suggesting he targeted more than 50 victims, with the police recovered over 1,270 videos of Zou assaulting women.

The conviction of Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old Chinese PhD student at University College London, for drugging and raping ten women in England and China between 2019 and 2023, has brought significant attention to the barriers to justice faced by East Asian women in the UK. The case, described by authorities as one of the worst in modern Britain, exposes deep-rooted cultural stigmas, institutional failures, and the urgent need for systemic reform.

Zou, who used social media platforms such as WeChat and Little Red Book to lure victims under the pretence of socialising or conducting academic discussions, was found guilty of a series of premeditated attacks. Police recovered over 1,270 videos of Zou assaulting women, with evidence suggesting that he may have targeted more than 50 victims. All known victims are believed to be of Chinese heritage. Authorities suspect that many women were unaware they had been assaulted due to being drugged, while others refrained from reporting the crimes out of fear and shame.

Cultural stigmas within East Asian communities have played a critical role in deterring victims from seeking help. Poon, a trustee at the Chinese Information and Advice Centre (CIAC), explained, “In Chinese culture, people lock everything up inside. They won’t tell anybody, they think this is very shameful. They will hide things, even from their parents. They struggle by themselves”. This sense of shame, combined with fear of community ostracisation, makes survivors less likely to report sexual violence.

Sarah Yeh, chair of the South East and East Asian Women’s Association (SEEAWA), emphasised the broader issue of victim-blaming, stating, “Rape is stigmatised in all East and South-East Asian cultures. It’s often a case of victim-blaming, as it is in the wider UK community as well. Often, women don’t really know their rights, especially if they’re coming to a foreign country. So it’s about building awareness and a greater understanding that there is help out there that they can tap into”.

Language barriers, lack of trust in authorities, and inadequate institutional responses further complicate access to justice for East Asian women. Many victims face significant difficulties navigating the legal system without appropriate translation services or culturally sensitive support. Community advocates are calling for increased funding for culturally appropriate victim services, comprehensive public awareness campaigns, and institutional reforms to ensure survivors feel empowered to come forward.