Predators in Plain Sight: What Zou’s Crimes Mean for Women’s Safety in Belfast
By Tessa Johnson
Trigger warning: This article contains distressing details and descriptions of rape.
At first glance Zhenhao Zou appears as a brilliant academic- a PhD student from a wealthy background, paying £4000 rent for his luxury flat in London whilst studying at University College London. He first moved to the UK in 2017 where he studied his undergrad here at Queens. However, behind this model student façade hides an unnerving double life as one of the UK’s most prolific rapists.
As of March 5, 2025, he has been convicted of 11 counts of rape, with other charges including possession of controlled drugs with intent to commit a sexual offence. The police found MDMA, Ketamine and Xanax in his possession. Despite studying in England, he refused to speak English during the trial. Police say he may have raped up to 50 women, and Commander Southworth described Zou as a “depraved and cowardly individual”. The Met have thanked the courageous women who have delivered evidence that helped bring him to justice. Zou would lure women back to his apartment, drug, record and rape them. Harrowingly a “trophy box” of victims’ belongings was also found. Shown below:
(METROPOLITAN POLICE)
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said, so far, there is no evidence linking Zhenhao Zou’s crimes to his time at Queen’s University Belfast. However, the PSNI are still appealing to anyone who may have interacted with Zou during his time in Northern Ireland to come forward, stressing that even the smallest piece of information could help bring justice to those affected.
Women’s safety in Belfast: Is enough being done?
In Zou’s case, one victim recounted that she first met him when he offered to assist her with her maths work. This chilling case is another reminder that these predators operate in plain sight. Data from the National Police Council reveals that 74% of reported spiking victims are women. Given that most spiking incidents occur in nightclubs, it raises the question of whether sufficient measures are being taken to safeguard women in these environments. With 90% of spiking incidents going unreported (according to research conducted by drinkaware), victims often feel dismissed or unsure if they will be taken seriously.
Reading about Zou struck a deep nerve. Last year, during my fresher’s week a friend came to me and explained that she thought her drink had been spiked the previous night. We went to A&E and given the delicate nature of the matter I expected to her to be treated with dignity but also compassion and concern from the hospital staff. The experience with the nurses was vastly different to these attributes. After she explained her situation, she was told that no further testing (to figure out what substance was in her system) could be done. Addressing her directly the nurse proceeded to say, “next time be more careful” and “…welcome to Belfast.” Both were stunned- neither of us said anything to each other on the Uber home. The UK Government’s spiking factsheet states that the police typically arrange forensic testing, as self-testing kits are unreliable for building legal cases against perpetrators. Routine drug taking does not take place unless it affects the medical diagnosis.
The nurses’ words still echo in my mind-not because no tests were carried out or because of her indifference, but because of what they represent. My friend was brushed aside instantly, as if what happened to her was just another night out in Belfast. It was a disturbing reminder of how easily women’s experiences are dismissed. Zou’s horrifying case exposes yet again the reality of how many women in Belfast and around the UK live. How many more men like Zou live under the radar? If Belfast is to become a safe space for women, the culture of dismissal and victim-blaming is the first step in achieving this goal.