‘Sexist’ farmer ‘told Bristol student to take her top off’ – then university lecturer dismissed behaviour as ‘typical’, report claims
- Veterinary science students reported the farmer to a lecturer after a placement
- It is alleged the lecturer responded that the behaviour was ‘typical’ for farmers
A ‘sexist’ farmer who allegedly told a veterinary student at the University of Bristol to take her top off had his behaviour dismissed by a lecturer, who described it as ‘typical’ for farmers, it has been claimed.
Veterinary science students at the university reported the farmer to a lecturer after a serious of incidences during a mandatory lambing placement as part of their studies. The placement is usually their first and is arranged through the university.
The sexist and inappropriate behaviour allegedly included the farmer telling one student to ‘take your top off’ so she could paint one of his lodges, according to The Bristol Tab.
Another student, placed in the same area, alleged the farmer sent inappropriate TikTok videos including one of women dancing in short skirts. The video was allegedly sent with a message that read: ‘This is what I want to see in my shed then on Saturday night x’.
According to the report, the farmer allegedly referred to students as his ‘gate b****’ and ‘cherub slag’, and said his friends were going to come and visit them in the middle of the night in the lambing shed.
The students claimed they were told to spend the day cleaning the farmer’s living area, even though cleaners were employed to carry out the task. They had been promised a ‘treat’ beforehand.
Veterinary science students at the University of Bristol reported the farmer to a lecturer after the incident during a mandatory lambing placement as part of their studie
He allegedly told the students: ‘You are women, you like cleaning’.
One student claimed to have been left alone in the countryside in the early hours of the morning because the farmer forgot to pick her up. She also claimed he forgot to feed them.
‘I would cry so much, calling my dad in tears’, she said.
The students claimed they felt uneasy about the placement before it began after the farmer allegedly sent them messages asking if they would arrive early, writing he would ‘definitely make it worth [their] while’.
One student told the Tab that even when the farmer was not there, they were ‘constantly on edge that he would arrive.’
After the placement, which took placed in Easter 2022, had ended, messages were allegedly sent continuously by the farmer.
However, when the students returned to the university and complained to a senior member of staff, they were allegedly told: ‘It’s just typical for farmers to act like this’.
The lecturer also allegedly said the placement ‘must have been an admin error’ and that the farm was ‘not meant to be on the list’.
When asked if the farm would be removed from the approved placements list, the lecturer allegedly said they did not think it was necessary and that they ‘might contact the family ahead of next year and give them some tips on how to be a bit more welcoming’.
Despite the complaint, two students were allegedly sent to the same farm this year.
Professor Sheena Warman, deputy head of the Vet School at the University of Bristol, told the Tab: ‘I am extremely concerned to hear about the experiences of these students and I’m very sorry they were disappointed by the feedback from their lecturer when this was raised with them afterwards.
‘The behaviour and attitudes they have described during their placement are completely unacceptable. I have met with the students to assure them that their concerns are being taken seriously and to apologise for the distress this has caused.
‘We are now looking into this as a matter of urgency and have taken the farm in question off our placements list while we investigate.’
MailOnline has contacted the University of Bristol for comment.
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