LONDON: One of Oxford University's best known colleges has spoken out against a worrying trend - the increasing culture of groping and sexual harassment among students.

Incidents of groping at social events, loud jokes in public places about rape and homophobic remarks in student meetings have been reported in the 136-year-old Somerville College - one of the two first colleges to offer an Oxford education to women.

Principal of the college Dr Alice Prochaska has written to the students encouraging them to speak out against an increase in sexist " laddism " or outright intimidation.

She said "There were worrying signs that the infection might be spreading here. None of our students wanted to point the finger at their friends but it was clear that for some, the climate in the college was becoming uncomfortable".

"Now that our students include about 50% men, our ethos of inclusion and excellence remains as strong as ever. And yet we had to face the unthinkable: that unacceptable and threatening activities could happen not just in a wider world, but here too," Dr Prochaska added.

The president of the undergraduate students union at the college is a Delhi girl Shyamli Badgaiyan .

In an exclusive interview to TOI, she decided to open up about this worrying trend in one of the world's most coveted campuses.

Badgaiyan whose family lives in Gulmohar Park told TOI "There is an increasing culture of groping, intimidation and sexual harassment and we want to raise awareness about it. We are asking victims to speak out. It all boils down to education. Students need to be taught that some sexist jokes or comments can have serious repercussions. Our college preaches diversity and inclusiveness".

Badgaiyan who wants to become a politician in India and is presently in her second year studying philosophy, politics and economics said that alcohol sometimes trigger a student to "cross the line" but the root of the problem is lack of understanding of "how to interact with the opposite sex or sometimes even in the same sex".

"It's not a gender issue. Students sometimes need to be educated how a boy should behave with a girl or how a boy should behave with another boy".

Badgaiyan said the college holds consent workshops at the beginning of a new term and one took place last month which told students what lines not to cross.

"These incidents of groping and sexual harassment shocked many of us. In our emergency meeting, where we not only formally condemned the recent acts but also donated to the Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre around 200 pounds as a gesture of support," Badgaiyan said.

According to Dr Prochaska, abuse has many allies, but silence and fear rank high among them. "Our student body acted quickly. An emergency meeting last weekend passed a resolution by an overwhelming majority to complement the efforts of the college deans with a strongly worded call to action of their own. They condemned the recent increase in aggressive behaviour in the college. If there is a deep-rooted problem of sexism and disrespect nationwide, it is important for those who witness it in their own institution or workplace to speak out".