**"After the Silence: New Victims Emerge Against Serial Rapist Zhenhao Zou"**

Twenty-three additional women have come forward, revealing a pattern of abuse that underscores the challenges faced by victims in seeking justice.

Twenty-three more women have recently approached law enforcement with allegations against serial rapist Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese PhD student previously convicted in London for drugging and raping ten women across two different continents. Following his trial last month, police revealed they possess video evidence, reportedly filmed by Zou himself, indicating potentially 50 additional victims. Investigators now acknowledge that Zou's "offending group is likely much larger" than previously thought.

Warning: This article includes details of sexual violence.

Among those who have come forward since the sentencing is a woman identified as Alice, who alleges that Zou assaulted her in London in 2021 after spiking her drink, leaving her conscious but unable to move. She recounts that upon waking up, she found Zou filming himself as he assaulted her. Likewise, another victim, referred to as Rachel, shared her experience of being drugged and raped by Zou in his hometown, highlighting the difficulties she faced in considering whether to report the crime.

Two of the victims who testified against Zou told the BBC about their ongoing struggle with guilt, wondering if their silence had contributed to a larger number of victims. "If I had spoken up earlier, maybe there wouldn’t have been so many victims after me,” one expressed.

Alice explained that she did not initially recognize her experience as something that could be reported. After meeting Zou through mutual friends in London, she recalled feeling uncontrollably dizzy and fatigued during a gathering at his upscale student residence. She was convinced to take a nap in his bedroom, where she was assaulted. Afterward, she avoided further contact with Zou, not reporting the incident due to concerns about a lack of evidence.

The challenges faced by international students reporting sexual violence in the UK are compounded, according to Sarah Yeh, a trustee at the Southeast and East Asian Women’s Association. Cultural differences, fear of repercussions, and the complexities of the British legal system contribute to victims' hesitance in coming forward.

Another young woman, known as Clara, shared her story. She connected with Beth, a fellow victim, through social media after Beth warned others of Zou's predatory behavior. Upon investigating Clara’s case, police revealed supporting evidence, leading to Zou's conviction.

The Metropolitan Police acknowledged mishandling initial reports and have since committed to improving training for officers to ensure victims feel supported. They noted that investigations into Zou's offenses remain ongoing as more women come forward, revealing a disturbing scope of his illicit activities.

As authorities process these new allegations, a second trial for Zou may be on the horizon, highlighting the urgent need for victims to feel empowered to share their stories. The ongoing investigation emphasizes that addressing sexual violence must transcend geographical and cultural barriers, ultimately validating victims' experiences and ensuring their voices are heard.