Emergency measures are being taken by JCRs across the university after the Trinity JCR condom supply was found to have been sabotaged. It was discovered last Wednesday that free condoms provided by the Trinity welfare team had all been pierced with a pin. The supply was immediately withdrawn and an investigation launched by the Dean, Dr Jan Czernuska. He told The Oxford Student: “The College is naturally concerned about this issue.

 

We are not yet able to make a full statement as investigations are still ongoing. However, the culprit or culprits, once identified, will be dealt with in accordance with the College's disciplinary policy.” Trinity students have been advised to seek immediate medical assistance if they fear they have been affected. A list of clinic addresses and details of people to contact for advice has been issued.

 

The JCR has also offered financial assistance to anyone requiring the Morning After Pill or transport to treatment clinics. JCR President, Ed Mason told The Oxford Student: “We were obviously incredibly shocked and disappointed by this occurrence, which shows utter cowardice and a complete disregard for the health, safety and wellbeing of their friends and peers.” All colleges have been alerted to the incident and preventative strategies are being discussed by JCRs and the Student Union.

 

Several colleges, including Merton and Regent’s Park have removed open-access supplies in response. Students have been warned to check all condoms before use. It is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Tampering was reported several years ago at Oriel and in Michaelmas last year condom stocks were similarly sabotaged at Worcester. In response to student concern, St Hilda’s have withdrawn open contraceptive supplies, replacing them with a token-operated vending machine.

 

Other colleges including Balliol and Worcester are considering using CCTV to monitor open condom supplies. Worcester JCR President, James Rae told The Oxford Student he was extremely disturbed at what had happened: "You can't imagine why any sort of rational person would do something like this.

 

Merton JCR President, Alan Strickland also voiced serious concerns: “Public supplies of condoms were immediately withdrawn, with students now having to e-mail the welfare officers to have them discreetly pidged. “If part of an anti-contraception campaign, the culprits should put students' welfare before their political aims and stop carrying out these mindless acts. Putting students at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections is totally wrong and cannot be justified.”

 

Some colleges, however, are still operating on a principal of trust. Exeter JCR President Emily Pull commented: “At the moment Exeter has boxes of condoms that students are free to help themselves to. The general feeling amongst students is that what happened at Trinity wouldn't happen at Exeter – perhaps the feeling that it is too close-knit an environment for someone to do that.”

 

Student Union VP (Welfare), Nicky Ellis, told The Oxford Student the only way to ensure safety is to not leave condoms unsupervised. She warned: “You cannot necessarily see if a condom has been pierced. Don’t assume it will be visible.” A spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association called the acts “highly irresponsible”. “People use condoms to protect themselves from all sorts of diseases, including HIV.

 

The people doing this are risking the health of a large number of students.