A YORK student who was sexually attacked while she slept has claimed the University of York does not support sex victims.

The woman was in her third year when she woke to find a fellow undergraduate abusing her, Michael Collins, prosecuting, told York Crown Court.

In her victim statement, she said other students encouraged her not to speak out about what had happened and that she got no help from the university.

"I thought it would be easier to die than live with this fear and powerlessness," the statement said.

“I feel very disillusioned with the university due to the lack of support. I could not cope with the pressure in my final year at university. My marks suffered and never recovered.”

She eventually went to the police and Daniel Andrew Dreyfus, now 23, was arrested. He was jailed for 10 months.

After the court case, the university said it offers students "emotional and psychological" and other support and that it takes cases of sexual violence and harassment very seriously.

Dreyfus, who started a computer science postgraduate course in London after graduating from York, and now of Glebe Road, Barns, London, pleaded guilty to sexual assault. He was put on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Judge Simon Hickey said Dreyfus had taken a cocktail of drugs and alcohol.

Her friends had expected him to look after her when they left her at his student house to sleep after a party there.

For Dreyfus, Andrew Semple said he had behaved out of character and since stopped drinking.

He had suffered mentally since the death of his eldest brother when he was 14 and was remorseful for his actions.

A university spokesperson said: "We take cases of sexual violence and harassment very seriously and work closely with the Student Union, the Graduate Students’ Association, and local authorities in raising awareness of these issues.

"Our Open Door team provides emotional and psychological support for students alongside a number of other support services, such as our College System, Chaplaincy team, Student Union welfare and advice, and Nightline and Night Safe.

“In addition, our Respect campaign for students and training schemes for staff provide information on the support available on and off campus. Our new sexual violence digital reporting system is aimed at making it easier for students to inform the proper authorities and seek support."