Student says she was sexually assaulted in Colchester nightclub

Zoe North, 20, from Wivenhoe, currently studies Psychology at the University of Essex and previously held down a job as a barmaid for about a year.

In her spare time, she now works for an agency as a ‘shot girl’ which sees her sell shots of alcohol to punters in nightlife venues throughout Colchester.

On Saturday, during what was only her second ever shift, Zoe says she was grabbed below the waist by a man who then whispered “vulgar” words into her ear.

After wriggling free she continued with her job, despite being traumatised by what had happened and being targeted with sexist language from other clubbers.

Infuriated by what had happened, Zoe decided to speak up and the man who had touched her was removed from the venue, but the ordeal has left an impact.

“Usually, I don’t speak up when it happens, it’s regular on nights out nowadays and I have had the occasional hand go lower than it should,” added Zoe.

“Although it is not normal, it is expected, but it is not my job to stand there letting people do what they want for the sake of making a penny.

“I don’t feel comfortable going out now especially knowing men still aren’t being made to keep their hands to themselves.”

Colchester town centre

After less than an hour on shift, Zoe decided to call it a night, due to the “emotional trauma” and affect the assault had on her mental health.

As a result, she says she is £190 out of pocket due to the fact she had to purchase a bottle of alcohol and pay her agency a hefty fee.

Zoe said: “You have to buy the alcohol from the nightclub, which is £100, even though on Amazon its £20, and then pay the agency a £90 fee.

“Everything after that is then profit, minus the shot cups and energy drinks which we have to supply ourselves too.

“Everyone was empathetic when I told them about the assault imagine paying nearly £200 to be sexually assaulted whilst working.”