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Anger over sex rating Facebook page for University of Kent students

00:01, 31 May 2013

University of Kent students were asked to rate their sexual partners on a Facebook page that has since been removed
University of Kent students were asked to rate their sexual partners on a Facebook page that has since been removed

A Facebook page inviting Kent university students to rate their sexual encounters with fellow students has been removed.

The University of Kent launched an investigation after the site appeared asking students to supply their sexual partner's full name, a score out of 10 and a description to be posted publicly.

The page read: "Think you had a sexual encounter worth talking about, a special night with that special person and you never got the chance to compliment their work before. Give us a message with some details of their performance and a rating out of 10."

In one day, the page for students at the university's Medway campus had more than 200 likes.

A Facebook page asking University of Kent students to publicly name and rate their sexual partners
A Facebook page asking University of Kent students to publicly name and rate their sexual partners

A second page, under the same name, set up for Canterbury students gained more than 100 likes.

Both pages have now been shut down. A University of Kent spokesman said: "The University of Kent does not tolerate any behaviour that is detrimental to students' privacy and wellbeing.

"Appropriate action has been taken and the Facebook page has been removed."

Colum McGuire, vice-president (welfare), said Kent Union would be working with the university on the issue.

He added: "People think that groups like this are all harmless banter, but they are not only offensive to some people but can be a form of harassment and abuse."

Similar sites have appeared in Hull, York, Lincoln and Leicester and remain online.

Medway social sciences student David Woolley, 21, said: "The page was too much. While it may appear like a bit of fun to some people, the fact that it names people and then rates their performance is frankly ridiculous. It can destroy some people's confidence, motivation and lead to depression."

Tara Nichelle, 26, a postgraduate journalism student, said: "The danger of these sites is that though they can be amusing, or serve as a platform to brag, they can be dangerous.

"I can see websites like this turning into a sort of revenge porn hosting ground where people can name and shame people who were involved in what they thought was a private and most definitely intimate act."

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