Woman says Chinese student predator raped her hours before second attack | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• Jenza Dao (Zo): Chinese student jailed for drugging and raping women.
• Unidentified victims: Many victims did not initially report the assaults.
• Rachel: One of the victims interviewed, whose case highlights the close timing of attacks.
• Chinese social media: Played a crucial role in encouraging victims to come forward.
• Lily: A Chinese translator offering free services to victims.
• Solidarity and sisterhood: The sense of community that emerged on Chinese social media.

Investigation Findings:

The BBC investigation revealed that Jenza Dao (referred to as Zo) likely attacked two women within a 24-hour period. Rachel, one of the victims, reported being drugged and raped by Zo in China in October 2022. Text exchanges between Rachel and her friend confirmed the date of the assault. The Met Police initially questioned if Rachel and another victim were the same person due to the similarity of their experiences and the close proximity of the dates.

Victim Hesitations and Concerns:

Many victims did not report the assaults due to:

• Lack of evidence.
• Uncertainty about whether they could report the crime.
• Fear of judgment from others.
• Language barriers.

Impact of Conviction and Social Media:

The news of Zo's conviction spread rapidly on Chinese social media. People who knew Zo began sharing their encounters and impressions of him. Victims bravely shared their experiences online, encouraging others to come forward. This created a sense of solidarity and sisterhood.

Role of Chinese Translator (Lily):

Lily, a Chinese translator based in the UK, offered free translation services to victims after seeing the news. More than five women reached out to her for help.

Notable Quotes:

• "So many women told me that um they fear that they didn't have enough evidence or they simply didn't know this was something they could report to." - Wshin Jang, BBC's Global China Unit.
• "...there was this almost um this sense of solidarity and sisterhood on Chinese social media..." - Wshin Jang, BBC's Global China Unit.

Conclusion:

The investigation highlights the severity of Jenza Dao's crimes and the challenges faced by his victims in coming forward. The role of Chinese social media in fostering a sense of solidarity and providing support to victims was crucial in encouraging them to report the assaults. The case also underscores the importance of accessible resources, such as translation services, for victims of crime.