Raquel Rosario-Sanchez, (pictured) from the Dominican Republic, said the harassment started just months after arrived to start her PhD at the university's Centre for Gender and Violence Research

A Bristol University PhD student has claimed bullying she experienced from a transgender activist has left her feeling unsafe on campus, and could even cost her a visa.

The abuse started just two months after Raquel Rosario-Sanchez, from the Dominican Republic, started her PhD at Bristol University, after she agreed to chair a meeting of the Woman's Place UK group.

The 29-year-old made a complaint to the university against the transgender student, and formal disciplinary proceedings were launched.

The bullying escalated from there, as she had eggs and milkshakes thrown at her, was called 'heinous scum' and had a series of protests organised against her.

She told The Sunday Times: 'I no longer feel safe on campus. Most people who are subject to abuse by trans activists stay silent because if you file a complaint you undergo the campaign of threats I have experienced.'

Raquel Rosario-Sanchez, from the Dominican Republic, is studying for her PhD at Bristol University's (pictured) Centre for Gender and Violence Research

The university took a year to investigate the allegations, but no disciplinary action was taken.

Rosario-Sanchez said the bullying has caused her to fall behind in her PhD and she has missed her progress review, so she can no longer receive funding from the Dominican Republic.

She now faces losing her visa, or taking out a large loan to fund the rest of her studies.

The University of Bristol said: 'We believe that every effort has been made to support Ms Rosario-Sanchez.

'Matters relating to individual disciplinary cases are confidential, therefore we are unable to make further comment.'

It comes amid unrest from academics who fear silencing of freedom of speech by students claiming they are transphobic.

Rosario-Sanchez's PhD supervisor, Dr Emma Williamson, the head of the university's Centre for Gender and Violence Research: 'As members of staff, we cannot advise students to have confidence in the university's complaints procedures if they do not deal with complaints in a timely, safe, transparent and fair way.

'I do not know what I can say to a student in future who is making a complaint about being bullied and who is fearful of their safety.'